Single nucleotide polymorphisms predicting adverse drug reactions and medication efficacy

ABSTRACT

The invention provides diagnostic methods and kits including oligo and/or polynucleotides or derivatives, including as well antibodies determining whether a human subject is at risk of getting adverse drug reaction after statin therapy or whether the human subject is a high or low responder or a good a or bad metabolizer of statins. The invention provides further diagnostic methods and kits including antibodies determining whether a human subject is at risk for a cardiovascular disease. Still further the invention provides polymorphic sequences and other genes. The present invention further relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding a phenotype associated (PA) gene polypeptide useful in methods to identify therapeutic agents and useful for preparation of a medicament to treat cardiovascular disease or influence drug response, the polynucleotide is selected from the group comprising: SEQ ID 1-80 with allelic variation as indicated in the sequences section contained in a functional surrounding like full length cDNA for PA gene polypeptide and with or without the PA gene promoter sequence.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to genetic polymorphisms useful for assessing cardiovascular risks in humans, including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, hypertension, restenosis, arterial inflammation, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In addition it relates to genetic polymorphisms useful for assessing the response to lipid lowering drug therapy. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes gene variations which are individually present in humans with cardiovascular disease states, relative to humans with normal, or non-cardiovascular disease states, and/or in response to medications relevant to cardiovascular disease. Further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the present invention provides methods for the diagnostic monitoring of patients undergoing clinical evaluation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and for monitoring the efficacy of compounds in clinical trials. Still further, the present invention provides methods to use gene variations to predict personal medication schemes omitting adverse drug reactions and allowing an adjustment of the drug dose to achieve maximum benefit for the patient. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cardiovascular disease is a major health risk throughout the industrialized world.

Cardiovascular diseases include but are not limited by the following disorders of the heart and the vascular system: congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, ischemic diseases of the heart, coronary heart disease, all kinds of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, hypertensive vascular diseases and peripheral vascular diseases.

Heart failure is defined as a pathophysiologic state in which an abnormality of cardiac function is responsible for the failure of the heart to pump blood at a rate commensurate with the requirement of the metabolizing tissue. It includes all forms of pumping failure such as high-output and low-output, acute and chronic, right-sided or left-sided, systolic or diastolic, independent of the underlying cause.

Myocardial infarction (W is generally caused by an abrupt decrease in coronary blood flow that follows a thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery previously narrowed by arteriosclerosis. MI prophylaxis (primary and secondary prevention) is included as well as the acute treatment of MI and the prevention of complications.

Ischemic diseases are conditions in which the coronary flow is restricted resulting in an perfusion which is inadequate to meet the myocardial requirement for oxygen. This group of diseases include stable angina, unstable angina and asymptomatic ischemia.

Arrhythmias include all forms of atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrio-ventricular reentrant tachycardia, preexitation syndrome, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation) as well as bradycardic forms of arrhythmias.

Hypertensive vascular diseases include primary as well as all kinds of secondary arterial hypertension (renal, endocrine, neurogenic, others).

Peripheral vascular diseases are defined as vascular diseases in which arterial and/or venous flow is reduced resulting in an imbalance between blood supply and tissue oxygen demand. It includes chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), acute arterial thrombosis and embolism, inflammatory vascular disorders, Raynaud's phenomenon and venous disorders.

Atherosclerosis, the most prevalent of vascular diseases, is the principal cause of heart attack, stroke, and gangrene of the extremities, and thereby the principal cause of death. Atherosclerosis is a complex disease involving many cell types and molecular factors (for a detailed review, see Ross, 1993, Nature 362: 801-809 and Lusis, A. J., Nature 407, 233-241 (2000)). The process, in normal circumstances a protective response to insults to the endothelium and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the wall of the artery, consists of the formation of fibrofatty and fibrous lesions or plaques, preceded and accompanied by inflammation. The advanced lesions of atherosclerosis may occlude the artery concerned, and result from an excessive inflammatory-fibroproliferative response to numerous different forms of insult. For example, shear stresses are thought to be responsible for the frequent occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques in regions of the circulatory system where turbulent blood flow occurs, such as branch points and irregular structures.

The first observable event in the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque occurs when blood-borne monocytes adhere to the vascular endothelial layer and transmigrate through to the sub-endothelial space. Adjacent endothelial cells at the same time produce oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL). These oxidized LDLs are then taken up in large amounts by the monocytes through scavenger receptors expressed on their surfaces. In contrast to the regulated pathway by which native LDL (nLDL) is taken up by nLDL specific receptors, the scavenger pathway of uptake is not regulated by the monocytes.

These lipid-filled monocytes are called foam cells, and are the major constituent of the fatty streak. Interactions between foam cells and the endothelial and SMCs which surround them lead to a state of chronic local inflammation which can eventually lead to smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, and the formation of a fibrous plaque. Such plaques occlude the blood vessel concerned and thus restrict the flow of blood, resulting in ischemia.

Ischemia is a condition characterized by a lack of oxygen supply in tissues of organs due to inadequate perfusion. Such inadequate perfusion can have number of natural causes, including atherosclerotic or restenotic lesions, anemia, or stroke, to name a few. Many medical interventions, such as the interruption of the flow of blood during bypass surgery, for example, also lead to ischemia. In addition to sometimes being caused by diseased cardiovascular tissue, ischemia may sometimes affect cardiovascular tissue, such as in ischemic heart disease. Ischemia may occur in any organ, however, that is suffering a lack of oxygen supply.

The most common cause of ischemia in the heart is atherosclerotic disease of epicardial coronary arteries. By reducing the lumen of these vessels, atherosclerosis causes an absolute decrease in myocardial perfusion in the basal state or limits appropriate increases in perfusion when the demand for flow is augmented. Coronary blood flow can also be limited by arterial thrombi, spasm, and, rarely, coronary emboli, as well as by ostial narrowing due to luetic aortitis. Congenital abnormalities, such as anomalous origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, may cause myocardial ischemia and infarction in infancy, but this cause is very rare in adults. Myocardial ischemia can also occur if myocardial oxygen demands are abnormally increased, as in severe ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension or aortic stenosis. The latter can be present with angina that is indistinguishable from that caused by coronary atherosclerosis. A reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, as in extremely severe anemia or in the presence of carboxy-hemoglobin, is a rare cause of myocardial ischemia. Not infrequently, two or more causes of ischemia will coexist, such as an increase in oxygen demand due to left ventricular hypertrophy and a reduction in oxygen supply secondary to coronary atherosclerosis.

The foregoing studies are aimed at defining the role of particular gene variations presumed to be involved in the misleading of normal cellular function leading to cardiovascular disease. However, such approaches cannot identify the full panoply of gene variations that are involved in the disease process.

At present, the only available treatments for cardiovascular disorders are pharmaceutical based medications that are not targeted to an individual's actual defect; examples include angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics for hypertension, insulin supplementation for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), cholesterol reduction strategies for dyslipidaemia, anticoagulants, β blockers for cardiovascular disorders and weight reduction strategies for obesity. If targeted treatment strategies were available it might be possible to predict the response to a particular regime of therapy and could markedly increase the effectiveness of such treatment. Although targeted therapy requires accurate diagnostic tests for disease susceptibility, once these tests are developed the opportunity to utilize targeted therapy will become widespread. Such diagnostic tests could initially serve to identify individuals at most risk of hypertension and could allow them to make changes in lifestyle or diet that would serve as preventative measures. The benefits associated by coupling the diagnostic tests with a system of targeted therapy could include the reduction in dosage of administered drugs and thus the amount of unpleasant side effects suffered by an individual. In more severe cases a diagnostic test may suggest that earlier surgical intervention would be useful in preventing a further deterioration in condition.

It is an object of the invention to provide genetic diagnosis of predisposition or susceptibility for cardiovascular diseases. Another related object is to provide treatment to reduce or prevent or delay the onset of disease in those predisposed or susceptible to this disease. A further object is to provide means for carrying out this diagnosis.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a method of diagnosis of disease in an individual, said method comprising determining one, various or all genotypes in said individual of the genes listed in the Examples.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of identifying an individual predisposed or susceptible to a disease, said method comprising determining one, various or all genotypes in said individual of the genes listed in the Examples.

The invention is of advantage in that it enables diagnosis of a disease or of certain disease states via genetic analysis which can yield useable results before onset of disease symptoms, or before onset of severe symptoms. The invention is further of advantage in that it enables diagnosis of predisposition or susceptibility to a disease or of certain disease states via genetic analysis.

The invention may also be of use in confirming or corroborating the results of other diagnostic methods. The diagnosis of the invention may thus suitably be used either as an isolated technique or in combination with other methods and apparatus for diagnosis, in which latter case the invention provides a further test on which a diagnosis may be assessed.

The present invention stems from using allelic association as a method for genotyping individuals; allowing the investigation of the molecular genetic basis for cardiovascular diseases. In a specific embodiment the invention tests for the polymorphisms in the sequences of the listed genes in the Examples. The invention demonstrates a link between this polymorphisms and predispositions to cardiovascular diseases by showing that allele frequencies significantly differ when individuals with “bad” serum lipids are compared to individuals with “good” serum levels. The meaning of “good and bad” serum lipid levels is defined in Table 1a.

Certain disease states would benefit, that is to say the suffering of the patient may be reduced or prevented or delayed, by administration of treatment or therapy in advance of disease appearance; this can be more reliably carried out if advance diagnosis of predisposition or susceptibility to disease can be diagnosed.

Pharmacogenomics and Adverse Drug Reactions

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remain a major clinical problem. A recent meta-analysis suggested that in the USA in 1994, ADRs were responsible for 100 000 deaths, making them between the fourth and sixth commonest cause of death (Lazarou 1998, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 279:1200). Although these figures have been heavily criticized, they emphasize the importance of ADRs. Indeed, there is good evidence that ADRs account for 5% of all hospital admissions and increase the length of stay in hospital by two days at an increased cost of ˜$2500 per patient. ADRs are also one of the commonest causes of drug withdrawal, which has enormous financial implications for the pharmaceutical industry. ADRs, perhaps fortunately, only affect a minority of those taking a particular drug. Although factors that determine susceptibility are unclear in most cases, there is increasing interest in the role of genetic factors. Indeed, the role of inheritable variations in predisposing patients to ADRs has been appreciated since the late 1950s and early 1960s through the discovery of deficiencies in enzymes such as pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). More recently, with the first draft of the human genome just completed, there has been renewed interest in this area with the introduction of terms such as pharmacogenomics and toxicogenomics. Essentially, the aim of pharmacogenomics is to produce personalized medicines, whereby administration of the drug class and dosage is tailored to an individual genotype. Thus, the term pharmacogenomics embraces both efficacy and toxicity.

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (“statins”) specifically inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which catalyzes the rate limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. These drugs are effective in reducing the primary and secondary risk of coronary artery disease and coronary events, such as heart attack, in middle-aged and older men and women, in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, and are often prescribed for patients with hyperlipidemia Statins used in secondary prevention of coronary artery or heart disease significantly reduce the risk of stroke, total mortality and morbidity and attacks of myocardial ischemia; the use of statins is also associated with improvements in endothelial and fibrinolytic functions and decreased platelet thrombus formation.

The tolerability of these drugs during long term administration is an important issue. Adverse reactions involving skeletal muscle are not uncommon, and sometimes serious adverse reactions involving skeletal muscle such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis may occur, requiring discontinuation of the drug. In addition an increase in serum creatine kinase (CK) may be a sign of a statin related adverse event.

Occasionally arthralgia, alone or in association with myalgia, has been reported. Also an elevation of liver transaminases has been associated with statin administration.

It was shown that the drug response to statin therapy is a class effects, i.e. all known and presumably also all so far undiscovered statins share the same benefical and harmful effects (Ucar, M. et al., Drug Safety 2000, 22:441). It follows that the discovery of diagnostic tools to predict the drug response to a single statin will also be of aid to guide therapy with other statins.

The present invention provides diagnostic tests to predict the patient's individual response to statin therapy. Such responses include, but are not limited by adverse drug reactions, the level of lipid lowering or the drug's influence on disease states. Those diagnostic tests may predict the response to statin therapy either alone or in combination with another diagnostic test or another drug regimen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based at least in part on the discovery that a specific allele of a polymorphic region of a so called “candidate gene” (as defined below) is associated with CVD or drug response.

For the present invention the following candidate genes were analyzed:

-   -   Genes found to be expressed in cardiac tissue (Hwang et al.,         Circulation 1997, 96:4146-4203).     -   Genes from the following metabolic pathways and their regulatory         elements:         Lipid Metabolism

Numerous studies have shown a connection between serum lipid levels and cardiovascular diseases. Candidate genes falling into this group include but are not limited by genes of the cholesterol pathway, apolipoproteins and their modifiying factors.

Coagulation

Ischemic diseases of the heart and in particular myocardial infarction may be caused by a thrombotic occlusion. Genes falling into this group include all genes of the coagulation cascade and their regulatory elements.

Inflammation

Complications of atherosclerosis are the most common causes of death in Western societies. In broad outline atherosclerosis can be considered to be a form of chronic inflammation resulting from interaction modified lipoproteins, monocyte-derived macrophages, T cells, and the normal cellular elements of the arterial wall. This inflammatory process can ultimately lead to the development of complex lesions, or plaques, that protrude into the arterial lumen. Finally plaque rupture and thrombosis result in the acute clinical complications of myocardial infarction and stroke (Glass et al., Cell 2001, 104:503-516).

It follows that all genes related to inflammatory processes, including but not limited by cytokines, cytokine receptors and cell adhesion molecules are candidate genes for CVD.

Glucose and Energy Metabolism

As glucose and energy metabolism is interdependent with the metabolism of lipids (see above) also the former pathways contain candidate genes. Energy metabolism in general also relates to obesity, which is an independent risk factor for CVD (Melanson et al., Cardiol Rev 2001 9:202-207). In addition high blood glucose levels are associated with many microvascular and macrovascular complications and may therefore affect an individuals disposition to CVD (Duckworth, Curr Atheroscler Rep 2001, 3:383-391).

Hypertension

As hypertension is an independent risk factor for CVD, also genes that are involved in the regulation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure affect an individuals risk for CVD (Safar, Curr Opin Cardiol 2000, 15:258-263). Interestingly hypertension and diabetes (see above) appear to be interdependent, since hypertension is approximately twice as frequent in patients with diabetes compared with patients without the disease. Conversely, recent data suggest that hypertensive persons are more predisposed to the development of diabetes than are normotensive persons (Sowers et al., Hypertension 2001, 37:1053-1059).

Genes Related to Drug Response

Those genes include metabolic pathways involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) of drugs. Prominent members of this group are the cytochrome P450 proteins which catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism.

Unclassified Genes

As stated above, the mechanisms that lead to cardiovascular diseases or define the patient's individual response to drugs are not completely elucidated. Hence also candidate genes were analysed, which could not be assigned to the above listed categories. The present invention is based at least in part on the discovery of polymorphisms, that lie in genomic regions of unknown physiological function.

Results

After conducting an association study, we surprisingly found polymorphic sites in a number of candidate genes which show a strong correlation with the following phenotypes of the patients analysed: “Healthy” as used herein refers to individuals that neither suffer from existing CVD, nor exhibit an increased risk for CVD through their serum lipid level profile. “CVD prone” as used herein refers to individuals with existing CVD and/or a serum lipid profile that confers a high risk to get CVD (see Table 1a for definitions of healthy and CVD prone serum lipid levels). “High responder” as used herein refers to patients who benefit from relatively small amounts of a given drug. “Low responder” as used herein refers to patients who need relatively high doses in order to obtain benefit from the medication. “Tolerant patient” refers to individuals who can tolerate high doses of a medicament without exhibiting adverse drug reactions. “ADR patient” as used herein refers to individuals who suffer from ADR or show clinical symptoms (like creatine kinase elevation in blood) even after receiving only minor doses of a medicament (see Table 1b for a detailed definition of drug response phenotypes).

Polymorphic sites in candidate genes that were found to be significantly associated with either of the above mentioned phenotypes will be referred to as “phenotype associated SNPs” (PA SNPs). The respective genomic loci that harbour PA SNPs will be referred to as “phenotype associated genes” (PA genes), irrespective of the actual function of this gene locus.

In particular we surprisingly found PA SNPs associated with CVD, drug efficacy (EFF) or adverse drug reactions (ADR) in the following genes (phenotypic associations as indicated in brackets).

ATPase, Ca++ Transporting, Cardiac Muscle, Fast Switch 1 (ATP2A1), [CVD]

Fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase; pumps calcium.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C (CFTR/MRP), Member 2 (ABCC2), [CVD]

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. ABC proteins transport various molecules across extra- and intra-cellular membranes. ABC genes are divided into seven distinct subfamilies (ABC1, MDR/TAP, MRP, ALD, OABP, GCN20, White). This protein is a member of the MRP subfamily which is involved in multi-drug resistance. This protein is expressed in the canalicular (apical) part of the hepatocyte and functions in biliary transport. Substrates include anticancer drugs such as vinblastine; therefore, this protein appears to contribute to drug resistance in mammalian cells. Several different mutations in this gene have been observed in patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS), an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Myogenic Factor 6 (Herculin) (MYF6), [CVD]

Myogenic factor 6 may be a regulator of skeletal muscle determination; member of the MyoD family.

Troponin T1, Skeletal, Slow (TNNT1), [CVD]

Troponin T1 tropomyosin-binding subunit of troponin, slow twitch skeletal muscle regulatory protein.

Xanthene Dehydrogenase (XDH), [ADR, CVD]

Xanthine dehydrogenase belongs to the group of molybdenum-containing hydroxylases involved in the oxidative metabolism of purines. The enzyme is a homodimer. Xanthine dehydrogenase can be converted to xanthine oxidase by reversible sulfhydryl oxidation or by irreversible proteolytic modification. Defects in xanthine dehydrogenase cause xanthinuria, may contribute to adult respiratory stress syndrome, and may potentiate influenza infection through an oxygen metabolite-dependent mechanism.

Zinc Finger Protein 202 (ZNF202), [CVD]

Zinc-finger protein 202 may repress genes involved in lipid metabolism; contains zinc fingers.

Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C1 (NPC1), [CVD]

NPC1 was identified as the gene that when mutated, results in Niemann-Pick C disease. NPC1 encodes a putative integral membrane protein containing motifs consistent with a role in intracellular transport of cholesterol to post-lysosomal destinations.

Phospholipase A2 Gamma, Group IVC (Cytosolic, Calcium-Independent) (PLA2G4C), [ADR]

Group IVC calcium-independent phospholipase a2; hydrolyzes the phospholipid sn-2 ester bond; member of the phospholipase family.

Crystallin, Alpha B (CRYAB), [CVD]

Crystallins are separated into two classes: taxon-specific, or enzyme, and ubiquitous. The latter class constitutes the major proteins of vertebrate eye lens and maintains the transparency and refractive index of the lens. Since lens central fiber cells lose their nuclei during development, these crystallins are made and then retained throughout life, making them extremely stable proteins. Mammalian lens crystallins are divided into alpha, beta, and gamma families; beta and gamma crystallins are also considered as a superfamily. Alpha and beta families are further divided into acidic and basic groups. Seven protein regions exist in crystallins: four homologous motifs, a connecting peptide, and N- and C-terminal extensions. Alpha crystallins are composed of two gene products: alpha-A and alpha-B, for acidic and basic, respectively. Alpha crystallins can be induced by heat shock and are members of the small heat shock protein (sHSP also known as the HSP20) family. They act as molecular chaperones although they do not renature proteins and release them in the fashion of a true chaperone; instead they hold them in large soluble aggregates. Post-translational modifications decrease the ability to chaperone. These heterogeneous aggregates consist of 30-40 subunits; the alpha-A and alpha-B subunits have a 3:1 ratio, respectively. Two additional functions of alpha crystallins are an autokinase activity and participation in the intracellular architecture. Alpha-A and alpha-B gene products are differentially expressed; alpha-A is preferentially restricted to the lens and alpha-B is expressed widely in many tissues and organs. Elevated expression of alpha-B crystallin occurs in many neurological diseases; a missense mutation cosegregated in a family with a desmin-related myopathy.

Human Myeloid Cell Differentiation Protein (MCL1), [CVD]

Neuroendocrine-Specific Protein (NSP), [CVD]

Because its expression is strongly correlated with neuronal differentiation, NSP may be an important mediator of thyroid hormone effects on brain development.

Calcium ATPase (HK2, ATP2A2), [CVD]

Slow twitch cardiac muscle Ca2+-ATPase; pumps calcium, may have a role in calcium signaling pathways.

Chloride Channel Ka (CLCNKA), [CVD]

Putative chloride channel; member of the CLC family of voltage-gated chloride channels.

Nth Endonuclease III-like 1 (NTHL1), [ADR, CVD]

Endonuclease; excises damaged pyrimidines.

Solute Carrier Family 21 (Organic Anion Transporter), Member 6 (SLC21A6, OATP-C), [CVD]

Organic anion transporter.

Human Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (tgf-beta), [CVD]

Transforming growth factor-beta; regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), [CVD]

Growth factor; induces endothelial cell proliferation and vascular permeability.

Myotubularin, [CVD]

Member of the myotubalarin family of dual specificity protein phosphatases.

3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A lyase (HMGCL) (hydroxymethylglutaricaciduria), [ADR]

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase cleaves 3-OH-3-methylglutaryl CoA to acetoacetic acid and acetyl CoA.

Apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3), [ADR]

Apolipoprotein C-III is a very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) protein. APOC3 inhibits lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase; it is thought to delay catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles. The APOA1, APOC3 and APOA4 genes are closely linked in both rat and human genomes. The A-I and A-IV genes are transcribed from the same strand, while the A-1 and C-III genes are convergently transcribed. An increase in apoC-III levels induces the development of hypertriglyceridemia.

Oxoglutarate (Alpha-Ketoglutarate) Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide, OGDH), [ADR]

Alpha-ketoglutarate or 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase helps convert a-ketoglutarate to succinyl coenzyme A in Krebs cycle.

Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase I, Muscle (CPT1B), [EFF]

Muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is a rate-controlling enzyme of long-chain fatty acid b-oxidation pathway.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B (MDR/TAP), Member 4 (ABCB4), [EFF]

The membrane-associated protein encoded by this gene is a member of the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. ABC proteins transport various molecules across extra- and intra-cellular membranes. ABC genes are divided into seven distinct subfamilies (ABC1, MDR/TAP, MRP, ALD, OABP, GCN20, White). This protein is a member of the MDR/TAP subfamily. Members of the MDR/TAP subfamily are involved in multidrug resistance as well as antigen presentation. This gene encodes a full transporter and member of the p-glycoprotein family of membrane proteins with phosphatidylcholine as its substrate. The function of this protein has not yet been determined; however, it may involve transport of phospholipids from liver hepatocytes into bile. Alternative splicing of this gene results in several products of undetermined function.

Sjogren Syndrome Antigen A1 52 kD, Ribonucleoprotein Autoantigen SS-A/Ro (SSA1), [EFF]

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family. The TRIM motif includes three zinc-binding domains, a RING, a B-box type 1 and a B-box type 2, and a coiled-coil region. This protein is part of the RoSSA ribonucleoprotein which includes a single polypeptide and one of four small RNA molecules. The RoSSA particle localizes to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. RoSSA interacts with autoantigens in patients with Sjogren syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. The function of the RoSSA particle has not been determined. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants for this gene have been described; however, the full length nature of one variant has not been determined.

Cytochrome c Oxidase Assembly Protein (Heme A: Farnesyltransferase) (COX10), [ADR]

Heme A:farnesyltransferase; required for the synthesis of heme A.

ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, beta 1 polypeptide (ATP1B1), [ADR]

Beta 1 subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase.

A kinase (PRKA) anchor protein 1 (AKAP1), [ADR]

Anchors cAMP-dependent protein kinase near its physiological substrates, interacts with both the type I and type II regulatory subunits.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B (MDR/TAP), Member 11 (ABCB11), [ADR]

The membrane-associated protein encoded by this gene is a member of the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. ABC proteins transport various molecules across extra- and intra-cellular membranes. ABC genes are divided into seven distinct subfamilies (ABC1, MDR/TAP, MRP, ALD, OABP, GCN20, White). This protein is a member of the MDR/TAP subfamily. Members of the MDR/TAP subfamily are involved in multidrug resistance. The protein encoded by this gene is the major canalicular bile salt export pump in man. Mutations in this gene cause a form of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestases which are a group of inherited disorders with severe cholestatic liver disease from early infancy.

Apolipoprotein D (APOD), [ADR]

Apolipoprotein D (Apo-D) is a component of high density lipoprotein that has no marked similarity to other apolipoprotein sequences. It has a high degree of homology to plasma retinol-binding protein and other members of the alpha 2 microglobulin protein superfamily of carrier proteins, also known as lipocalins. It is a glycoprotein of estimated molecular weight 33 KDa. Apo-D is closely associated with the enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase—an enzyme involved in lipoprotein metabolism.

Microtubule-Associated Protein 1B (MAP1B), [ADR]

This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the microtubule-associated protein family. The proteins of this family are thought to be involved in microtubule assembly, which is an essential step in neurogenesis. The product of this gene is a precursor polypeptide that presumably undergoes proteolytic processing to generate the final MAP1B heavy chain and LC1 light chain. Gene knockout studies of the mouse microtubule-associated protein 1B gene suggested an important role in development and function of the nervous system. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described.

Glucan (1,4-alpha-), Branching Enzyme 1 (Glycogen Branching Enzyme, Andersen Disease, Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV)(GBE1), [EFF]

This monomeric enzyme functions in glycogen symthesis by catalyzing the formation of alpha 1,6-glucosidic linkages. It is most highly expressed in liver and muscle. Deficiency can result in glycogen storage disease IV (Andersen's disease).

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase, Isoenzyme 1 (PDK1), [ADR]

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) is a mitochondrial multienzyme complex that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate and is one of the major enzymes responsible for the regulation of homeostasis of carbohydrate fuels in mammals. The enzymatic activity is regulated by a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle. Phosphorylation of PDH by a specific pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) results in inactivation.

ATPase, Na+/K+ Transporting, Beta 3 Polypeptide (ATP1B3), [ADR]

Beta 3 subunit of the Na+/K+-ATPase.

Collagen, Type VI, Alpha 3 (COL6A3), [ADR]

This gene encodes the alpha 3 chain, one of the three alpha chains of type VI collagen, a beaded filament collagen found in most connective tissues. The alpha 3 chain of type VI collagen is much larger than the alpha 1 and 2 chains. This difference in size is largely due to an increase in the number of subdomains, similar to von Willebrand Factor type A domains, found in the amino terminal globular domain of all the alpha chains. These domains have been shown to bind extracellular matrix proteins, an interaction that explains the importance of this collagen in organizing matrix components. Mutations in the type VI collagen genes are associated with Bethlem myopathy. In addition to the full length transcript, four transcript variants have been identified that encode proteins with N-terminal globular domains of varying sizes.

Muscle Glycogen Phosphorylase (McArdle Syndrome, Glycogen Storage Disease Type V) (PYGM), [EFF]

Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide 1 (Pituitary) (PACAP, ADCYAP1), [ADR]

This gene encodes adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1. Mediated by adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 receptors, this polypeptide stimulates adenylate cyclase and subsequently increases the cAMP level in target cells. Adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 is not only a hypophysiotropic hormone, but also functions as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. In addition, it plays a role in paracrine and autocrine regulation of certain types of cells. This gene is composed of five exons. Exons 1 and 2 encode the 5′ UTR and signal peptide, respectively; exon 4 encodes an adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1-related peptide; and exon 5 encodes the mature peptide and 3′ UTR. This gene encodes three different mature peptides, including two isotypes: a shorter form and a longer form.

Coproporphyrinogen oxidase (coproporphyria, harderoporphyria) (CPO), [ADR]

Coproporphyrinogen catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation in sixth step of heme biosynthesis.

Interleukin 8 Receptor, Alpha (IL8RA), [ADR]

Interleukin 8 receptor alpha is a G protein-coupled receptor that mediates neutrophil chemotaxis and binds interleukin 8 (IL8).

Chemokine (C—C Motif) Receptor 2 (CCR2), [ADR]

This gene encodes two isoforms of a receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a chemokine which specifically mediates monocyte chemotaxis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is involved in monocyte infiltration in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as in the inflammatory response against tumors. The receptors encoded by this gene mediate agonist-dependent calcium mobilization and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. This gene is located in the chemokine receptor gene cluster region. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants are expressed by the gene.

Phosphomevalonate Kinase (PMVK), [ADR, CVD]

Phosphomevalonate kinase converts mevalonate-5-phosphate to mevalonate-5-diphosphate.

Glycoprotein VI (Platelet) (GP6), [ADR, EFF]

Platelet glycoprotein VI is a member of the paired Ig-like receptor family.

Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 (VDAC1), [EFF]

The Voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (mitochondrial porin channel) functions as a voltage-gated pore of the outer mitochondrial membrane.

TATA Box Binding Protein (TBP), [ADR]

TATA box binding protein is a component of the TFIID complex; functions in the initiation of mRNA synthesis and basal transcription.

Centromere Protein C 1 (CENPC1), [CVD, EFF]

Centromere protein C 1 is a centromere autoantigen and a component of the inner kinetochore plate. The protein is required for maintaining proper kinetochore size and a timely transition to anaphase. A putative psuedogene exists on chromosome 12.

Thyroid Receptor Interacting Protein 10, TRIP10 (CDC42-Interacting Protein, CIP4), [ADR]

Similar to the non-kinase domains of FER and Fes/Fps tyrosine kinases; binds to activated Cdc42 and may regulate actin cytoskeleton; contains an SH3 domain.

Phosphoglucomutase 5 (Phosphoglucomutase-Related Protein, PGMRP), [ADR]

Phosphoglucomutase-related (aciculin) putative structural protein; interacts with the cytoskeletal proteins dystrophin and utrophin.

Phospholipase A2, Group IIA (Platelets, Synovial Fluid), PLA2G2A, RASF-A PLA2, [ADR]

Group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 hydrolyzes the phospholipid sn-2 ester bond, releasing a lysophospholipid and a free fatty acid; similar to murine Pla2g2a.

Fatty-Acid-Coenzyme A Ligase, Long-Chain 3, (FACL3, PRO2194), [ADR]

The protein encoded by this gene is an isozyme of the long-chain fatty-acid-coenzyme A ligase family. Although differing in substrate specificity, subcellular localization, and tissue distribution, all isozymes of this family convert free long-chain fatty acids into fatty acyl-CoA esters, and thereby play a key role in lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation. This isozyme is highly expressed in brain, and preferentially utilizes myristate, arachidonate, and eicosapentaenoate as substrates. The amino acid sequence of this isozyme is 92% identical to that of rat homolog.

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Synthase 2, Mitochondrial (HMGCS2), [ADR]

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase; functions in the first step in ketogenesis.

Chromosome X Open Reading Frame 6 (CXorf6, Xq28), [EFF]

HLA-B Associated Transcript 3 (BAT3), [ADR]

A cluster of genes, BAT1-BAT5, has been localized in the vicinity of the genes for TNF alpha and TNF beta These genes are all within the human major histocompatibility complex class III region. The protein encoded by this gene is a nuclear protein. It has been implicated in the control of apoptosis and regulating heat shock protein. There are three alternatively spliced transcript variants described for this gene.

Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (INMT), [ADR]

Muscle Specific Serine Kinase (MSSK1; Serine/Threonine Kinase 23, STK23), [ADR, CVD, EFF]

Highly similar to SRPK2; may be protein kinase for SR family of RNA splicing factors; contains a kinase domain.

Myosin, Heavy Polypeptide 9, Non-Muscle (MYH9), [ADR]

Non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9; motor protein that provides force for muscle contraction, cytokinesis and phagocytosis; contains an ATPase head domain and a rod-like tail domain.

Peroxisome Proliferative Activated Receptor, Delta (PPARD), [ADR]

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily.

Myotubularin (Myotubular Myopathy 1, MTM1), [ADR]

MTM1 was identified as the locus containing a mutation responsible for X-linked myotubular myopathy. The predicted protein sequence suggests that MTM1 encodes a tyrosine phosphatase.

Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group I, Member 2 (NR1I2, PRR2), [EFF]

The gene product belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, members of which are transcription factors characterized by a ligand-binding domain and a DNA-binding domain. The encoded protein is a transcriptional regulator of the cytochrome P450 gene CYP3A4, binding to the response element of the CYP3A4 promoter as a heterodimer with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor RXR. It is activated by a range of compounds that induce CYP3A4, including dexamethasone and rifampicin. The gene product contains a zinc finger domain. Three alternatively spliced transcripts that encode different isoforms have been described, one of which encodes two products through the use of alternative translation initiation codons. Additional transcript variants derived from alternative promoter usage, alternative splicing, and/or alternative polyadenylation exist, but they have not been fully described.

Homo sapiens Chromosome 21 Segment HS21C048, [ADR]

Phospholipase A2, Group VI (PLA2G6, Cytosolic, Calcium-Independent), [CVD]

Cytosolic calcium-independent phospholipase A2 hydrolyzes the phospholipid sn-2 ester bond; member of the phospholipase family.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE), [ADR]

Chylomicron remnants and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) remnants are rapidly removed from the circulation by receptor-mediated endocytosis in the liver. Apolipoprotein E, a main apoprotein of the chylomicron, binds to a specific receptor on liver cells and peripheral cells. ApoE is essential for the normal catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein constituents. The APOE gene is mapped to chromosome 19 in a cluster with APOC1 and APOC2. Defects in apolipoprotein E result in familial dysbetalipoproteinemia, or type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP III), in which increased plasma cholesterol and triglycerides are the consequence of impaired clearance of chylomicron and VLDL remnants.

Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), [EFF]

LPL encodes lipoprotein lipase, which is expressed in heart, muscle, and adipose tissue. LPL functions as a homodimer, and has the dual functions of triglyceride hydrolase and ligand/bridging factor for receptor-mediated lipoprotein uptake. Severe mutations that cause LPL deficiency result in type I hyperlipoproteinemia, while less extreme mutations in LPL are linked to many disorders of lipoprotein metabolism.

Nidogen 2 (NID2, Osteonidogen), [EFF]

Nidogen-2 is a basement membrane protein.

NADH-UBIQUINONE OXIDOREDUCTASE CHAIN 5 (EC 1.6.5.3), [ADR]

Subunit of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I); transports electrons from NADH to ubiquinone.

Sorting Nexin 9 (SNX9), [ADR]

SH3 domain- and phox homology (PX) domain-containing protein; interacts with MDC9 and MDC15 metalloprotease disintegrins.

FMO1: Flavin Containing Monooxygenase 1, [ADR]

Metabolic N-oxidation of the diet-derived amino-trimethylamine (TMA) is mediated by flavin-containing monooxygenase and is subject to an inherited FMO3 polymorphism in man resulting in a small subpopulation with reduced TMA N-oxidation capacity resulting in fish odor syndrome Trimethylaminuria. Three forms of the enzyme, FMO1 found in fetal liver, FMO2 found in adult liver, and FMO3 are encoded by genes clustered in the 1q23-q25 region. Flavin-containing monooxygenases are NADPH-dependent flavoenzymes that catalyzes the oxidation of soft nucleophilic heteroatom centers in drugs, pesticides, and xenobiotics.

Homo sapiens PAC Clone RP5-1131G17 from 7p15.1-p14, [ADR]

Homo sapiens BAC Clone GS1-155M11 from 7q21-q22, [CVD, EFF]

Thrombin-Activable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (Carboxypeptidase B2, CPB2), [ADR]

Carboxypeptidases are enzymes that hydrolyze C-terminal peptide bonds. The carboxypeptidase family includes metallo-, serine, and cysteine carboxypeptidases. According to their substrate specificity, these enzymes are referred to as carboxypeptidase A (cleaving aliphatic residues) or carboxypeptidase B (cleaving basic amino residues). The protein encoded by this gene is activated by trypsin and acts on carboxypeptidase B substrates. After thrombin activation, the mature protein down-regulates fibrinolysis. Polymorphisms have been described for this gene and its promoter region. Available sequence data analyses indicate splice variants that encode different isoforms.

As SNPs are linked to other SNPs in neighboring genes on a chromosome (Linkage Disequilibrium) those SNPs could also be used as marker SNPs. In a recent publication it was shown that SNPs are linked over 100 kb in some cases more than 150 kb (Reich D. E. et al. Nature 411, 199-204, 2001). Hence SNPs lying in regions neighbouring PA SNPs could be linked to the latter and by this being a diagnostic marker. These associations could be performed as described for the gene polymorphism in methods.

Definitions

For convenience, the meaning of certain terms and phrases employed in the specification, examples, and appended claims are provided below. Moreover, the definitions by itself are intended to explain a further background of the invention.

The term “allele”, which is used interchangeably herein with “allelic variant” refers to alternative forms of a gene or portions thereof. Alleles occupy the same locus or position on homologous chromosomes. When a subject has two identical alleles of a gene, the subject is said to be homozygous for the gene or allele. When a subject has two different alleles of a gene, the subject is said to be heterozygous for the gene. Alleles of a specific gene can differ from each other in a single nucleotide, or several nucleotides, and can include substitutions, deletions, and insertions of nucleotides. An allele of a gene can also be a form of a gene containing a mutation.

The term “allelic variant of a polymorphic region of a gene” refers to a region of a gene having one of several nucleotide sequences found in that region of the gene in other individuals.

“Homology” or “identity” or “similarity” refers to sequence similarity between two peptides or between two nucleic acid molecules. Homology can be determined by comparing a position in each sequence which may be aligned for purposes of comparison. When a position in the compared sequence is occupied by the same base or amino acid, then the molecules are homologous at that position. A degree of homology between sequences is a function of the number of matching or homologous positions shared by the sequences. An “unrelated” or “non-homologous” sequence shares less than 40% identity, though preferably less than 25% identity, with one of the sequences of the present invention.

The term “a homologue of a nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence having a certain degree of homology with the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid or complement thereof. A homologue of a double stranded nucleic acid having SEQ ID NO. X is intended to include nucleic acids having a nucleotide sequence which has a certain degree of homology with SEQ ID NO. X or with the complement thereof. Preferred homologous of nucleic acids are capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid or complement thereof.

The term “interact” as used herein is meant to include detectable interactions between molecules, such as can be detected using, for example, a hybridization assay.

The term interact is also meant to include “binding” interactions between molecules. Interactions may be, for example, protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, protein-small molecule or small molecule-nucleic acid in nature.

The term “intronic sequence” or “intronic nucleotide sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence of an intron or portion thereof.

The term “isolated” as used herein with respect to nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, refers to molecules separated from other DNAs or RNAs, respectively, that are present in the natural source of the macromolecule. The term isolated as used herein also refers to a nucleic acid or peptide that is substantially free of cellular material, viral material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.

Moreover, an “isolated nucleic acid” is meant to include nucleic acid fragments which are not naturally occurring as fragments and would not be found in the natural state. The term “isolated” is also used herein to refer to polypeptides which are isolated from other cellular proteins and is meant to encompass both purified and recombinant polypeptides.

The term “lipid” shall refer to a fat or fat-like substance that is insoluble in polar solvents such as water. The term “lipid” is intended to include true fats (e.g. esters of fatty acids and glycerol); lipids (phospholipids, cerebrosides, waxes); sterols (cholesterol, ergosterol) and lipoproteins (e.g. HDL, LDL and VLDL).

The term “locus” refers to a specific position in a chromosome. For example, a locus of a gene refers to the chromosomal position of the gene.

The term “modulation” as used herein refers to both up-regulation, (i.e., activation or stimulation), for example by agonizing, and down-regulation (i.e. inhibition or suppression), for example by antagonizing of a bioactivity (e.g. expression of a gene).

The term “molecular structure” of a gene or a portion thereof refers to the structure as defined by the nucleotide content (including deletions, substitutions, additions of one or more nucleotides), the nucleotide sequence, the state of methylation, and/or any other modification of the gene or portion thereof.

The term “mutated gene” refers to an allelic form of a gene, which is capable of altering the phenotype of a subject having the mutated gene relative to a subject which does not have the mutated gene. If a subject must be homozygous for this mutation to have an altered phenotype, the mutation is said to be recessive. If one copy of the mutated gene is sufficient to alter the genotype of the subject, the mutation is said to be dominant. If a subject has one copy of the mutated gene and has a phenotype that is intermediate between that of a homozygous and that of a heterozygous (for that gene) subject, the mutation is said to be co-dominant.

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid” refers to polynucleotides such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and, where appropriate, ribonucleic acid (RNA). The term should also be understood to include, as equivalents, derivatives, variants and analogs of either RNA or DNA made from nucleotide analogs, including peptide nucleic acids (PNA), morpholino oligonucleotides (J. Summerton and D. Weller, Antisense and Nucleic Acid Drug Development 7:187 (1997)) and, as applicable to the embodiment being described, single (sense or antisense) and double-stranded polynucleotides. Deoxyribonucleotides include deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine. For purposes of clarity, when referring herein to a nucleotide of a nucleic acid, which can be DNA or an RNA, the term “adenosine”, “cytidine”, “guanosine”, and “thymidine” are used. It is understood that if the nucleic acid is RNA, a nucleotide having a uracil base is uridine.

The term “nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. x” refers to the nucleotide sequence of the complementary strand of a nucleic acid strand having SEQ ID NO. x. The term “complementary strand” is used herein interchangeably with the term “complement”. The complement of a nucleic acid strand can be the complement of a coding strand or the complement of a non-coding strand. When referring to double stranded nucleic acids, the complement of a nucleic acid having SEQ ID NO. x refers to the complementary strand of the strand having SEQ ID NO. x or to any nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of the complementary strand of SEQ ID NO. x. When referring to a single stranded nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO. x, the complement of this nucleic acid is a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to that of SEQ ID NO. x. The nucleotide sequences and complementary sequences thereof are always given in the 5′ to 3′ direction. The term “complement” and “reverse complement” are used interchangeably herein.

The term “operably linked” is intended to mean that the promoter is associated with the nucleic acid in such a manner as to facilitate transcription of the nucleic acid.

The term “polymorphism” refers to the coexistence of more than one form of a gene or portion thereof. A portion of a gene of which there are at least two different forms, i.e., two different nucleotide sequences, is referred to as a “polymorphic region of a gene”. A polymorphic region can be a single nucleotide, the identity of which differs in different alleles. A polymorphic region can also be several nucleotides long.

A “polymorphic gene” refers to a gene having at least one polymorphic region.

To describe a “polymorphic site” in a nucleotide sequence often there is used an “ambiguity code” that stands for the possible variations of nucleotides in one site. The list of ambiguity codes is summarized in the following table: Ambiguity Codes (IUPAC Nomenclature) B c/g/t D a/g/t H a/c/t K g/t M a/c N a/c/g/t R a/g S c/g V a/c/g W a/t Y c/t

So, for example, a “R” in a nucleotide sequence means that either an “a”, or a “g” could be at that position.

The terms “protein”, “polypeptide” and “peptide” are used interchangeably herein when referring to a gene product.

A “regulatory element”, also termed herein “regulatory sequence is intended to include elements which are capable of modulating transcription from a basic promoter and include elements such as enhancers and silencers. The term “enhancer”, also referred to herein as “enhancer element”, is intended to include regulatory elements capable of increasing, stimulating, or enhancing transcription from a basic promoter. The term “silencer”, also referred to herein as “silencer element” is intended to include regulatory elements capable of decreasing, inhibiting, or repressing transcription from a basic promoter. Regulatory elements are typically present in 5′ flanking regions of genes. However; regulatory elements have also been shown to be present in other regions of a gene, in particular in introns. Thus, it is possible that genes have regulatory elements located in introns, exons, coding regions, and 3′ flanking sequences. Such regulatory elements are also intended to be encompassed by the present invention and can be identified by any of the assays that can be used to identify regulatory elements in 5′ flanking regions of genes.

The term “regulatory element” further encompasses “tissue specific” regulatory elements, i.e., regulatory elements which effect expression of the selected DNA sequence preferentially in specific cells (e.g., cells of a specific tissue). gene expression occurs preferentially in a specific cell if expression in this cell type is significantly higher than expression in other cell types. The term “regulatory element” also encompasses non-tissue specific regulatory elements, i.e., regulatory elements which are active in most cell types. Furthermore, a regulatory element can be a constitutive regulatory element, i.e., a regulatory element which constitutively regulates transcription, as opposed to a regulatory element which is inducible, i.e., a regulatory element which is active primarily in response to a stimulus. A stimulus can be, e.g., a molecule, such as a hormone, cytokine, heavy metal, phorbol ester, cyclic AMP (cAMP), or retinoic acid.

Regulatory elements are typically bound by proteins, e.g., transcription factors. The term “transcription factor” is intended to include proteins or modified forms thereof, which interact preferentially with specific nucleic acid sequences, i.e., regulatory elements, and which in appropriate conditions stimulate or repress transcription. Some transcription factors are active when they are in the form of a monomer. Alternatively, other transcription factors are active in the form of a dimer consisting of two identical proteins or different proteins (heterodimer). Modified forms of transcription factors are intended to refer to transcription factors having a post-translational modification, such as the attachment of a phosphate group. The activity of a transcription factor is frequently modulated by a post-translational modification. For example, certain transcription factors are active only if they are phosphorylated on specific residues. Alternatively, transcription factors can be active in the absence of phosphorylated residues and become inactivated by phosphorylation. A list of known transcription factors and their DNA binding site can be found, e.g., in public databases, e.g., TFMATRIX Transcription Factor Binding Site Profile database.

As used herein, the term “specifically hybridizes” or “specifically detects” refers to the ability of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention to hybridize to at least approximately 6, 12, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 or 140 consecutive nucleotides of either strand of a gene.

The term “wild-type allele” refers to an allele of a gene which, when present in two copies in a subject results in a wild-type phenotype. There can be several different wild-type alleles of a specific gene, since certain nucleotide changes in a gene may not affect the phenotype of a subject having two copies of the gene with the nucleotide changes.

“Adverse drug reaction” (ADR) as used herein refers to an appreciably harmful or unpleasant reaction, resulting from an intervention related to the use of a medicinal product, which predicts hazard from future administration and warrants prevention or specific treatment, or alteration of the dosage regimen, or withdrawal of the product. In it's most severe form an ADR might lead to the death of an individual.

The term “Drug Response” is intended to mean any response that a patient exhibits upon drug administration. Specifically drug response includes beneficial, i.e. desired drug effects, ADR or no detectable reaction at all. More specifically the term drug response could also have a qualitative meaning, i.e. it embraces low or high beneficial effects, respectively and mild or severe ADR, respectively. The term “Statin Response” as used herein refers to drug response after statin administration. An individual drug response includes also a good or bad metabolizing of the drug, meaning that “bad metabolizers” accumulate the drug in the body and by this could show side effects of the drug due to accumulative overdoses.

“Candidate gene” as used herein includes genes that can be assigned to either normal cardiovascular function or to metabolic pathways that are related to onset and/or progression of cardiovascular diseases.

With regard to drug response the term “candidate gene” includes genes that can be assigned to distinct phenotypes regarding the patient's response to drug administration. Those phenotypes may include patients who benefit from relatively small amounts of a given drug (high responders) or patients who need relatively high doses in order to obtain the same benefit (low responders). In addition those phenotypes may include patients who can tolerate high doses of a medicament without exhibiting ADR, or patients who suffer from ADR even after receiving only low doses of a medicament.

As neither the development of cardiovascular diseases nor the patient's response to drug administration is completely understood, the term “candidate gene” may also comprise genes with presently unknown function.

“PA SNP” (phenotype, associated SNP) refers to a polymorphic site which shows a significant association with a patients phenotype (healthy, diseased, low or high responder, drug tolerant, ADR prone, etc.)

“PA gene” (phenotype associated gene) refers to a genomic locus harbouring a PA SNP, irrespective of the actual function of this gene locus.

PA gene polypeptide refers to a polypeptide encoded at least in part by a PA gene.

The term “Haplotype” as used herein refers to a group of two or more SNPs that are functionally and/or spatially linked. I.e. haplotypes define groups of SNPs that lie inside genes belonging to identical (or related metabolic) pathways and/or lie on the same chromosome. Haplotypes are expected to give better predictive/diagnostic information than a single SNP.

The term “statin” is intended to embrace all inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Statins specifically inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which catalyzes the rate limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Known statins are Atorvastatin, Cerivastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin and Simvastatin.

Methods for Assessing Cardiovascular Status

The present invention provides diagnostic methods for assessing cardiovascular status in a human individual. Cardiovascular status as used herein refers to the physiological status of an individual's cardiovascular system as reflected in one or more markers or indicators. Status markers include without limitation clinical measurements such as, e.g., blood pressure, electrocardiographic profile, and differentiated blood flow analysis as well as measurements of LDL- and HDL-Cholesterol levels, other lipids and other well established clinical parameters that are standard in the art. Status markers according to the invention include diagnoses of one or more cardiovascular syndromes, such as, e.g., hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, silent myocardial infarction, stroke, and atherosclerosis. It will be understood that a diagnosis of a cardiovascular syndrome made by a medical practitioner encompasses clinical measurements and medical judgement. Status markers according to the invention are assessed using conventional methods well known in the art. Also included in the evaluation of cardiovascular status are quantitative or qualitative changes in status markers with time, such as would be used, e.g., in the determination of an individual's response to a particular therapeutic regimen.

The methods are carried out by the steps of:

(i) determining the sequence of one or more polymorphic positions within one, several or all of the genes listed in Examples or other genes mentioned in this file in the individual to establish a polymorphic pattern for the individual; and

(ii) comparing the polymorphic pattern established in (i) with the polymorphic patterns of humans exhibiting different markers of cardiovascular status. The polymorphic pattern of the individual is, preferably, highly similar and, most preferably, identical to the polymorphic pattern of individuals who exhibit particular status markers, cardiovascular syndromes, and/or particular patterns of response to therapeutic interventions. Polymorphic patterns may also include polymorphic positions in other genes which are shown, in combination with one or more polymorphic positions in the genes listed in the Examples, to correlate with the presence of particular status markers. In one embodiment, the method involves comparing an individual's polymorphic pattern with polymorphic patterns of individuals who have been shown to respond positively or negatively to a particular therapeutic regimen. Therapeutic regimen as used herein refers to treatments aimed at the elimination or amelioration of symptoms and events associated cardiovascular disease. Such treatments include without limitation one or more of alteration in diet, lifestyle, and exercise regimen; invasive and noninvasive surgical techniques such as atherectomy, angioplasty, and coronary bypass surgery; and pharmaceutical interventions, such as administration of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, diuretics, alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists, cardiac glycosides, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, imidazoline receptor blockers, endothelin receptor blockers, organic nitrites, and modulators of protein function of genes listed in the Examples. Interventions with pharmaceutical agents not yet known whose activity correlates with particular polymorphic patterns associated with cardiovascular disease are also encompassed. It is contemplated, for example, that patients who are candidates for a particular therapeutic regimen will be screened for polymorphic patterns that correlate with responsivity to that particular regimen.

In a preferred embodiment, the method involves comparing an individual's polymorphic pattern with polymorphic patterns of individuals who exhibit or have exhibited one or more markers of cardiovascular disease, such as, e.g., elevated LDL-Cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, abnormal electrocardiographic profile, myocardial infarction, stroke, or atherosclerosis.

In another embodiement, the method involves comparing an individual's polymorphic pattern with polymorphic patterns of individuals who exhibit or have exhibited one or more drug related phenotypes, such as, e.g., low or high drug response, or adverse drug reactions.

In practicing the methods of the invention, an individual's polymorphic pattern can be established by obtaining DNA from the individual and determining the sequence at predetermined polymorphic positions in the genes such as those described in this file.

The DNA may be obtained from any cell source. Non-limiting examples of cell sources available in clinical practice include blood cells, buccal cells, cervicovaginal cells, epithelial cells from urine, fetal cells, or any cells present in tissue obtained by biopsy. Cells may also be obtained from body fluids, including without limitation blood, saliva, sweat, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, feces, and tissue exudates at the site of infection or inflammation. DNA is extracted from the cell source or body fluid using any of the numerous methods that are standard in the art. It will be understood that the particular method used to extract DNA will depend on the nature of the source.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Assays

The present invention provides methods for determining the molecular structure of at least one polymorphic region of a gene, specific allelic variants of said polymorphic region being associated with cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, determining the molecular structure of a polymorphic region of a gene comprises determining the identity of the allelic variant. A polymorphic region of a gene, of which specific alleles are associated with cardiovascular disease can be located in an exon, an intron, at an intron/exon border, or in the promoter of the gene.

The invention provides methods for determining whether a subject has, or is at risk, of developing a cardiovascular disease. Such disorders can be associated with an aberrant gene activity, e.g., abnormal binding to a form of a lipid, or an aberrant gene protein level. An aberrant gene protein level can result from an aberrant transcription or post-transcriptional regulation. Thus, allelic differences in specific regions of a gene can result in differences of gene protein due to differences in regulation of expression. In particular, some of the identified polymorphisms in the human gene may be associated with differences in the level of transcription, RNA maturation, splicing, or translation of the gene or transcription product.

In preferred embodiments, the methods of the invention can be characterized as comprising detecting, in a sample of cells from the subject, the presence or absence of a specific allelic variant of one or more polymorphic regions of a gene. The allelic differences can be: (i) a difference in the identity of at least one nucleotide or (ii) a difference in the number of nucleotides, which difference can be a single nucleotide or several nucleotides.

A preferred detection method is allele specific hybridization using probes overlapping the polymorphic site and having about 5, 10, 20, 25, or 30 nucleotides around the polymorphic region. Examples of probes for detecting specific allelic variants of the polymorphic region located in intron X are probes comprising a nucleotide sequence set forth in any of SEQ ID NO. X. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, several probes capable of hybridizing specifically to allelic variants are attached to a solid phase support, e.g., a “chip”. Oligonucleotides can be bound to a solid support by a variety of processes, including lithography. For example a chip can hold up to 250,000 oligonucleotides (GeneChip, Affymetrix). Mutation detection analysis using these chips comprising oligonucleotides, also termed “DNA probe arrays” is described e.g., in Cronin et al. (1996) Human Mutation 7:244 and in Kozal et al. (1996) Nature Medicine 2:753. In one embodiment, a chip comprises all the allelic variants of at least one polymorphic region of a gene. The solid phase support is then contacted with a test nucleic acid and hybridization to the specific probes is detected. Accordingly, the identity of numerous allelic variants of one or more genes can be identified in a simple hybridization experiment. For example, the identity of the allelic variant of the nucleotide polymorphism of nucleotide A or G at position 33 of Seq ID 1 (baySNP179) and that of other possible polymorphic regions can be determined in a single hybridization experiment.

In other detection methods, it is necessary to first amplify at least a portion of a gene prior to identifying the allelic variant. Amplification can be performed, e.g., by PCR and/or LCR, according to methods known in the art. In one embodiment, genomic DNA of a cell is exposed to two PCR primers and amplification for a number of cycles sufficient to produce the required amount of amplified DNA. In preferred embodiments, the primers are located between 40 and 350 base pairs apart. Preferred primers for amplifying gene fragments of genes of this file are listed in Table 2 in the Examples.

Alternative amplification methods include: self sustained sequence replication (Guatelli, J. C. et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87:1874-1878), transcriptional amplification system (Kwoh, D. Y. et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:1173-1177), Q-Beta Replicase (Lizardi, P. M. et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6:1197), or any other nucleic acid amplification method, followed by the detection of the amplified molecules using techniques well known to those of skill in the art. These detection schemes are especially useful for the detection of nucleic acid molecules if such molecules are present in very low numbers.

In one embodiment, any of a variety of sequencing reactions known in the art can be used to directly sequence at least a portion of a gene and detect allelic variants, e.g., mutations, by comparing the sequence of the sample sequence with the corresponding wild-type (control) sequence. Exemplary sequencing reactions include those based on techniques developed by Maxam and Gilbert (Proc. Natl. Acad Sci USA (1977) 74:560) or Sanger (Sanger et al (1977) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci 74:5463). It is also contemplated that any of a variety of automated sequencing procedures may be utilized when performing the subject assays (Biotechniques (1995) 19:448), including sequencing by mass spectrometry (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,835 and international patent application Publication Number WO 94/16101, entitled DNA Sequencing by Mass Spectrometry by H. Koster; U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,835 and international patent application Publication Number WO 94/21822 entitled “DNA Sequencing by Mass Spectrometry Via Exonuclease Degradation” by H. Koster), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,798 and International Patent Application No. PCT/US96/03651 entitled DNA Diagnostics Based on Mass Spectrometry by H. Koster; Cohen et al. (1996) Adv Chromatogr 36:127-162; and Griffin et al. (1993) Appl Biochem Biotechnol 38:147-159). It will be evident to one skilled in the art that, for certain embodiments, the occurrence of only one, two or three of the nucleic acid bases need be determined in the sequencing reaction. For instance, A-track or the like, e.g., where only one nucleotide is detected, can be carried out.

Yet other sequencing methods are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,732 entitled “Method of DNA sequencing employing a mixed DNA-polymer chain probe” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,676 entitled “Method for mismatch-directed in vitro DNA sequencing”.

In some cases, the presence of a specific allele of a gene in DNA from a subject can be shown by restriction enzyme analysis. For example, a specific nucleotide polymorphism can result in a nucleotide sequence comprising a restriction site which is absent from the nucleotide sequence of another allelic variant.

In other embodiments, alterations in electrophoretic mobility is used to identify the type of gene allelic variant. For example, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) may be used to detect differences in electrophoretic mobility between mutant and wild type nucleic acids (Orita et al. (1989) Proc Natl. Acad. Sci USA 86:2766, see also Cotton (1993) Mutat Res 285:125-144; and Hayashi (1992) Genet Anal Tech Appl 9:73-79). Single-stranded DNA fragments of sample and control nucleic acids are denatured and allowed to renature. The secondary structure of single-stranded nucleic acids varies according to sequence, the resulting alteration in electrophoretic mobility enables the detection of even a single base change. The DNA fragments may be labeled or detected with labeled probes. The sensitivity of the assay may be enhanced by using RNA (rather than DNA), in which the secondary structure is more sensitive to a change in sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the subject method utilizes heteroduplex analysis to separate double stranded heteroduplex molecules on the basis of changes in electrophoretic mobility (Keen et al. (1991) Trends Genet 7:5).

In yet another embodiment, the identity of an allelic variant of a polymorphic region is obtained by analyzing the movement of a nucleic acid comprising the polymorphic region in polyacrylamide gels containing a gradient of denaturant is assayed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Myers et al (1985) Nature 313:495). When DGGE is used as the method of analysis, DNA will be modified to insure that it does not completely denature, for example by adding a GC clamp of approximately 40 bp of high-melting GC-rich DNA by PCR. In a further embodiment, a temperature gradient is used in place of a denaturing agent gradient to identify differences in the mobility of control and sample DNA (Rosenbaum and Reissner (1987) Biophys Chem 265:1275).

Examples of techniques for detecting differences of at least one nucleotide between 0.2 nucleic acids include, but are not limited to, selective oligonucleotide hybridization, selective amplification, or selective primer extension. For example, oligonucleotide probes may be prepared in which the known polymorphic nucleotide is placed centrally (allele-specific probes) and then hybridized to target DNA under conditions which permit hybridization only if a perfect match is found (Saiki et al. (1986) Nature 324:163); Saiki et al (1989) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci USA 86:6230; and Wallace et al. (1979) Nucl. Acids Res. 6:3543). Such allele specific oligonucleotide hybridization techniques may be used for the simultaneous detection of several nucleotide changes in different polymorphic regions of gene. For example, oligonucleotides having nucleotide sequences of specific allelic variants are attached to a hybridizing membrane and this membrane is then hybridized with labeled sample nucleic acid. Analysis of the hybridization signal will then reveal the identity of the nucleotides of the sample nucleic acid.

Alternatively, allele specific amplification technology which depends on selective PCR amplification may be used. Oligonucleotides used as primers for specific amplification may carry the allelic variant of interest in the center of the molecule (so that amplification depends on differential hybridization) (Gibbs et al (1989) Nucleic Acids Res. 17:2437-2448) or at the extreme 3′ end of one primer where, under appropriate conditions, mismatch can prevent, or reduce polymerase extension (Prossner (1993) Tibtech 11:238; Newton et al. (1989) Nucl. Acids Res. 17:2503). This technique is also termed “PROBE” for Probe Oligo Base Extension. In addition it may be desirable to introduce a novel restriction site in the region of the mutation to create cleavage-based detection (Gasparini et al (1992) Mol. Cell Probes 6:1).

In another embodiment, identification of the allelic variant is carried out using an oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA), as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,617 and in Landegren, U. et al., Science 241:1077-1080 (1988). The OLA protocol uses two oligonucleotides which are designed to be capable of hybridizing to abutting sequences of a single strand of a target. One of the oligonucleotides is linked to a separation marker, e.g., biotinylated, and the other is detectably labeled. If the precise complementary sequence is found in a target molecule, the oligonucleotides will hybridize such that their termini abut, and create a ligation substrate. Ligation then permits the labeled oligonucleotide to be recovered using avidin, or another biotin ligand. Nickerson, D. A. et al. have described a nucleic acid detection assay that combines attributes of PCR and OLA (Nickerson, D. A. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 87:8923-8927 (1990). In this method, PCR is used to achieve the exponential amplification of target DNA, which is then detected using OLA.

Several techniques based on this OLA method have been developed and can be used to detect specific allelic variants of a polymorphic region of a gene. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,826 discloses an OLA using an oligonucleotide having 3′-amino group and a 5′-phosphorylated oligonucleotide to form a conjugate having a phosphoramidate linkage. In another variation of OLA described in Tobe et al. ((1996) Nucleic Acids Res 24: 3728), OLA combined with PCR permits typing of two alleles in a single microtiter well. By marling each of the allele-specific primers with a unique hapten, i.e. digoxigenin and fluorescein, each LA reaction can be detected by using hapten specific antibodies that are labeled with different enzyme reporters, alkaline phosphatase or horseradish peroxidase. This system permits the detection of the two alleles using a high throughput format that leads to the production of two different colors.

The invention further provides methods for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms in a gene. Because single nucleotide polymorphisms constitute sites of variation flanked by regions of invariant sequence, their analysis requires no more than the determination of the identity of the single nucleotide present at the site of variation and it is unnecessary to determine a complete gene sequence for each patient Several methods have been developed to facilitate the analysis of such single nucleotide polymorphisms.

In one embodiment, the single base polymorphism can be detected by using a specialized exonuclease-resistant nucleotide, as disclosed, e.g., in Mundy, C. R. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,127). According to the method, a primer complementary to the allelic sequence immediately 3′ to the polymorphic site is permitted to hybridize to a target molecule obtained from a particular animal or human. If the polymorphic site on the target molecule contains a nucleotide that is complementary to the particular exonuclease-resistant nucleotide derivative present, then that derivative will be incorporated onto the end of the hybridized primer. Such incorporation renders the primer resistant to exonuclease, and thereby permits its detection. Since the identity of the exonuclease-resistant derivative of the sample is known, a finding that the primer has become resistant to exonucleases reveals that the nucleotide present in the polymorphic site of the target molecule was complementary to that of the nucleotide derivative used in the reaction. This method has the advantage that it does not require the determination of large amounts of extraneous sequence data.

In another embodiment of the invention, a solution-based method is used for determining the identity of the nucleotide of a polymorphic site. Cohen, D. et al. (French Patent 2,650,840; PCT Appln. No. WO91/02087). As in the Mundy method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,127, a primer is employed that is complementary to allelic sequences immediately 3′ to a polymorphic site. The method determines the identity of the nucleotide of that site using labeled dideoxynucleotide derivatives, which, if complementary to the nucleotide of the polymorphic site will become incorporated onto the terminus of the primer.

An alternative method, known as Genetic Bit Analysis or GBA TM is described by Goelet, P. et al. (PCT Appln. No. 92/15712). The method of Goelet, P. et al. uses mixtures of labeled terminators and a primer that is complementary to the sequence 3′ to a polymorphic site. The labeled terminator that is incorporated is thus determined by, and complementary to, the nucleotide present in the polymorphic site of the target molecule being evaluated. In contrast to the method of Cohen et al. (French Patent 2,650,840; PCT Appln. No. WO91/02087) the method of Goelet, P. et al. is preferably a heterogeneous phase assay, in which the primer or the target molecule is immobilized to a solid phase.

Recently, several primer-guided nucleotide incorporation procedures for assaying polymorphic sites in DNA have been described (Komher, J. S. et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 17:7779-0.7784 (1989); Sokolov, B. P., Nucl. Acids Res. 18:3671 (1990); Syvanen, A.-C., et al., Genomics 8:684-692 (1990), Kuppuswamy, M. N. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 88:1143-1147 (1991); Prezant, T. R. et al., Hum. Mutat. 1:159-164 (1992); Ugozzoli, L. et al., GATA 9:107-112 (1992); Nyren, P. et al., Anal. Biochem. 208:171-175 (1993)). These methods differ from GBA TM in that they all rely on the incorporation of labeled deoxynucleotides to discriminate between bases at a polymorphic site. In such a format, since the signal is proportional to the number of deoxynucleotides incorporated, polymorphisms that occur in runs of the same nucleotide can result in signals that are proportional to the length of the run (Syvanen, A.-C., et al., Amer. J. Hum. Genet. 52:46-59 (1993)).

For determining the identity of the allelic variant of a polymorphic region located in the coding region of a gene, yet other methods than those described above can be used. For example, identification of an allelic variant which encodes a mutated gene protein can be performed by using an antibody specifically recognizing the mutant protein in, e.g., immunohistochemistry or immunoprecipitation. Antibodies to wild-type gene protein are described, e.g., in Acton et al. (1999) Science 271:518 (anti-mouse gene antibody cross-reactive with human gene). Other antibodies to wild-type gene or mutated forms of gene proteins can be prepared according to methods known in the art. Alternatively, one can also measure an activity of an gene protein, such as binding to a lipid or lipoprotein. Binding assays are known in the art and involve, e.g., obtaining cells from a subject, and performing binding experiments with a labelled lipid, to determine whether binding to the mutated form of the receptor differs from binding to the wild-type of the receptor.

If a polymorphic region is located in an exon, either in a coding or non-coding region of the gene, the identity of the allelic variant can be determined by determining the molecular structure of the mRNA, pre-mRNA, or cDNA. The molecular structure can be determined using any of the above described methods for determining the molecular structure of the genomic DNA, e.g., sequencing and SSCP.

The methods described herein may be performed, for example, by utilizing prepackaged diagnostic kits, such as those described above, comprising at least one probe or primer nucleic acid described herein, which may be conveniently used, e.g., to determine whether a subject has or is at risk of developing a disease associated with a specific gene allelic variant.

Sample nucleic acid for using in the above-described diagnostic and prognostic methods can be obtained from any cell type or tissue of a subject. For example, a subject's bodily fluid (e.g. blood) can be obtained by known techniques (e.g. venipuncture) or from human tissues like heart (biopsies, transplanted organs). Alternatively, nucleic acid tests can be performed on dry samples (e.g. hair or skin). Fetal nucleic acid samples for prenatal diagnostics can be obtained from maternal blood as described in International Patent Application No. WO91/07660 to Bianchi. Alternatively, amniocytes or chorionic villi may be obtained for performing prenatal testing.

Diagnostic procedures may also be performed in situ directly upon tissue sections (fixed and/or frozen) of patient tissue obtained from biopsies or resections, such that no nucleic acid purification is necessary. Nucleic acid reagents may be used as probes and/or primers for such in situ procedures (see, for example, Nuovo, G. J., 1992, PCR in situ hybridization: protocols and applications, Raven Press, New York).

In addition to methods which focus primarily on the detection of one nucleic acid sequence, profiles may also be assessed in such detection schemes. Fingerprint profiles may be generated, for example, by utilizing a differential display procedure, Northern analysis and/or RT-PCR.

In practicing the present invention, the distribution of polymorphic patterns in a large number of individuals exhibiting particular markers of cardiovascular status or drug response is determined by any of the methods described above, and compared with the distribution of polymorphic patterns in patients that have been matched for age, ethnic origin, and/or any other statistically or medically relevant parameters, who exhibit quantitatively or qualitatively different status markers. Correlations are achieved using any method known in the art, including nominal logistic regression, chi square tests or standard least squares regression analysis. In this manner, it is possible to establish statistically significant correlations between particular polymorphic patterns and particular cardiovascular statuses (given in p values). It is further possible to establish statistically significant correlations between particular polymorphic patterns and changes in cardiovascular status or drug response such as, would result, e.g., from particular treatment regimens. In this manner, it is possible to correlate polymorphic patterns with responsivity to particular treatments.

In another embodiment of the present invention two or more polymorphic regions are combined to define so called ‘haplotypes’. Haplotypes are groups of two or more SNPs that are functionally and/or spatially linked. It is possible to combine SNPs that are disclosed in the present invention either with each other or with additional polymorphic regions to form a haplotype. Haplotypes are expected to give better predictive/diagnostic information than a single SNP.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a panel of SNPs/haplotypes is defined that predicts the risk for CVD or drug response. This predictive panel is then used for genotyping of patients on a platform that can genotype multiple SNPs at the same time (Multiplexing). Preferred platforms are e.g. gene chips (Affymetrix) or the Luminex LabMAP reader. The subsequent identification and evaluation of a patient's haplotype can then help to guide specific and individualized therapy.

For example the present invention can identify patients exhibiting genetic polymorphisms or haplotypes which indicate an increased risk for adverse drug reactions. In that case the drug dose should be lowered in a way that the risk for ADR is diminished. Also if the patient's response to drug administration is particularly high (or the patient is badly metabolizing the drug), the drug dose should be lowered to avoid the risk of ADR.

In turn if the patient's response to drug administration is low (or the patient is a particularly high metabolizer of the drug), and there is no evident risk of ADR, the drug dose should be raised to an efficacious level.

It is self evident that the ability to predict a patient's individual drug response should affect the formulation of a drug, i.e. drug formulations should be tailored in a way that they suit the different patient classes (low/high responder, poor/good metabolizer, ADR prone patients). Those different drug formulations may encompass different doses of the drug, i.e. the medicinal products contains low or high amounts of the active substance. In another embodiement of the invention the drug formulation may contain additional substances that facilitate the beneficial effects and/or diminish the risk for ADR (Folkers et al. 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,765).

Isolated Polymorphic Nucleic Acids, Probes, and Vectors

The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids comprising the polymorphic positions described herein for human genes; vectors comprising the nucleic acids; and transformed host cells comprising the vectors. The invention also provides probes which are useful for detecting these polymorphisms.

In practicing the present invention, many conventional techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, and recombinant DNA, are used. Such techniques are well known and are explained fully in, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, Volumes I and II, 1985 (D. N. Glover ed.); Oligonucleotide Synthesis, 1984, (M.

L. Gait ed.); Nucleic Acid Hybridization, 1985, (Hames and Higgins); Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 1997, (John Wiley and Sons); and Methods in Enzymology Vol. 154 and Vol. 155 (Wu and Grossman, and Wu, eds., respectively).

Insertion of nucleic acids (typically DNAs) comprising the sequences in a functional surrounding like full length cDNA of the present invention into a vector is easily accomplished when the termini of both the DNAs and the vector comprise compatible restriction sites. If this cannot be done, it may be necessary to modify the termini of the DNAs and/or vector by digesting back single-stranded DNA overhangs generated by restriction endonuclease cleavage to produce blunt ends, or to achieve the same result by filling in the single-stranded termini with an appropriate DNA polymerase.

Alternatively, any site desired may be produced, e.g., by ligating nucleotide sequences (linkers) onto the termini. Such linkers may comprise specific oligonucleotide sequences that define desired restriction sites. Restriction sites can also be generated by the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). See, e.g., Saiki et al., 1988, Science 239:48. The cleaved vector and the DNA fragments may also be modified if required by homopolymeric tailing.

The nucleic acids may be isolated directly from cells or may be chemically synthesized using known methods. Alternatively, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method can be used to produce the nucleic acids of the invention, using either chemically synthesized strands or genomic material as templates. Primers used for PCR can be synthesized using the sequence information provided herein and can further be designed to introduce appropriate new restriction sites, if desirable, to facilitate incorporation into a given vector for recombinant expression.

The nucleic acids of the present invention may be flanked by native gene sequences, or may be associated with heterologous sequences, including promoters, enhancers, response elements, signal sequences, polyadenylation sequences, introns, 5′- and 3′-noncoding regions, and the like. The nucleic acids may also be modified by many means known in the art. Non-limiting examples of such modifications include methylation, “caps”, substitution of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotides with an analog, internucleotide modifications such as; for example, those with un-charged linkages (e.g., methyl phosphonates, phosphotriesters, phosphoroamidates, carbamates, morpholines etc.) and with charged linkages (e.g., phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, etc.). Nucleic acids may contain one or more additional covalently linked moieties, such as, for example, proteins (e.g., nucleases, toxins, antibodies, signal peptides, poly-L-lysine, etc.), intercalators (e.g., acridine, psoralen, etc.), chelators (e.g., metals, radioactive metals, iron, oxidative metals, etc.), and alkylators. PNAs are also included. The nucleic acid may be derivatized by formation of a methyl or ethyl phosphotriester or an alkyl phosphoramidate linkage. Furthermore, the nucleic acid sequences of the present invention may also be modified with a label capable of providing a detectable signal, either directly or indirectly. Exemplary labels include radioisotopes, fluorescent molecules, biotin, and the like.

The invention also provides nucleic acid vectors comprising the gene sequences or derivatives or fragments thereof of genes described in the Examles. A large number of vectors, including plasmid and fungal vectors, have been described for replication and/or expression in a variety of eukaryotic and prokaryotic hosts, and may be used for gene therapy as well as for simple cloning or protein expression. Non-limiting examples of suitable vectors include without limitation pUC plasmids, pET plasmids (Novagen, Inc., Madison, Wis.), or pRSET or pREP (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.), and many appropriate host cells, using methods disclosed or cited herein or otherwise known to those skilled in the relevant art. The particular choice of vector/host is not critical to the practice of the invention.

Suitable host cells may be transformed/transfected/infected as appropriate by any suitable method including electroporation, CaCl₂ mediated DNA uptake, fungal or viral infection, microinjection, microprojectile, or other established methods. Appropriate host cells included bacteria, archebacteria, fungi, especially yeast, and plant and animal cells, especially mammalian cells. A large number of transcription initiation and termination regulatory regions have been isolated and shown to be effective in the transcription and translation of heterologous proteins in the various hosts. Examples of these regions, methods of isolation, manner of manipulation, etc. are known in the art. Under appropriate expression conditions, host cells can be used as a source of recombinantly produced peptides and polypeptides encoded by genes of the Examples. Nucleic acids encoding peptides or polypeptides from gene sequences of the Examples may also be introduced into cells by recombination events. For example, such a sequence can be introduced into a cell and thereby effect homologous recombination at the site of an endogenous gene or a sequence with substantial identity to the gene. Other recombination-based methods such as non-homologous recombinations or deletion of endogenous genes by homologous recombination may also be used.

In case of proteins that form heterodimers or other multimers, both or all subunits have to be expressed in one system or cell.

The nucleic acids of the present invention find use as probes for the detection of genetic polymorphisms and as templates for the recombinant production of normal or variant peptides or polypeptides encoded by genes listed in the Examples.

Probes in accordance with the present invention comprise without limitation isolated nucleic acids of about 10-100 bp, preferably 15-75 bp and most preferably 17-25 bp in length, which hybridize at high stringency to one or more of the polymorphic sequences disclosed herein or to a sequence immediately adjacent to a polymorphic position. Furthermore, in some embodiments a full-length gene sequence may be used as a probe. In one series of embodiments, the probes span the polymorphic positions in genes disclosed herein. In another series of embodiments, the probes correspond to sequences immediately adjacent to the polymorphic positions.

Polymorphic Polypeptides and Polymorphism-Specific Antibodies

The present invention encompasses isolated peptides and polypeptides encoded by genes listed in the Examples comprising polymorphic positions disclosed herein. In one preferred embodiment, the peptides and polypeptides are useful screening targets to identify cardiovascular drugs. In another preferred embodiments, the peptides and polypeptides are capable of eliciting antibodies in a suitable host animal that react specifically with a polypeptide comprising the polymorphic position and distinguish it from other polypeptides having a different sequence at that position.

Polypeptides according to the invention are preferably at least five or more residues in length, preferably at least fifteen residues. Methods for obtaining these polypeptides are described below. Many conventional techniques in protein biochemistry and immunology are used. Such techniques are well known and are explained in Immunochemical Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology, 1987 (Mayer and Waler, eds; Academic Press, London); Scopes, 1987, Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, Second Edition (Springer-Verlag, N.Y.) and Handbook of Experimental Immunology, 1986, Volumes I-IV (Weir and Blackwell eds.).

Nucleic acids comprising protein-coding sequences can be used to direct the ITT recombinant expression of polypeptides encoded by genes disclosed herein in intact cells or in cell-free translation systems. The known genetic code, tailored if desired for more efficient expression in a given host organism, can be used to synthesize oligonucleotides encoding the desired amino acid sequences. The polypeptides may be isolated from human cells, or from heterologous organisms or cells (including, but not limited to, bacteria, fungi, insect, plant, and mammalian cells) into which an appropriate protein-coding sequence has been introduced and expressed. Furthermore, the polypeptides may be part of recombinant fusion proteins.

Peptides and polypeptides may be chemically synthesized by commercially available automated procedures, including, without limitation, exclusive solid phase synthesis, partial solid phase methods, fragment condensation or classical solution synthesis. The polypeptides are preferably prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis as described by Merrifield, 1963, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149.

Methods for polypeptide purification are well-known in the art, including, without limitation, preparative disc-gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, HPLC, reversed-phase HPLC, gel filtration, ion exchange and partition chromatography, and countercurrent distribution. For some purposes, it is preferable to produce the polypeptide in a recombinant system in which the protein contains an additional sequence tag that facilitates purification, such as, but not limited to, a polyhistidine sequence. The polypeptide can then be purified from a crude lysate of the host cell by chromatography on an appropriate solid-phase matrix. Alternatively, antibodies produced against peptides encoded by genes disclosed herein, can be used as purification reagents. Other purification methods are possible.

The present invention also encompasses derivatives and homologues of the polypeptides. For some purposes, nucleic acid sequences encoding the peptides may be altered by substitutions, additions, or deletions that provide for functionally equivalent molecules, i.e., function-conservative variants. For example, one or more amino acid residues within the sequence can be substituted by another amino acid of similar properties, such as, for example, positively charged amino acids (arginine, lysine, and histidine); negatively charged amino acids (aspartate and glutamate); polar neutral amino acids; and non-polar amino acids.

The isolated polypeptides may be modified by, for example, phosphorylation, sulfation, acylation, or other protein modifications. They may also be modified with a label capable of providing a detectable signal, either directly or indirectly, including, but not limited to, radioisotopes and fluorescent compounds.

The present invention also encompasses antibodies that specifically recognize the polymorphic positions of the invention and distinguish a peptide or polypeptide containing a particular polymorphism from one that contains a different sequence at that position. Such polymorphic position-specific antibodies according to the present invention include polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies may be elicited in an animal host by immunization with peptides encoded by genes disclosed herein or may be formed by in vitro immunization of immune cells. The immunogenic components used to elicit the antibodies may be isolated from human cells or produced in recombinant systems. The antibodies may also be produced in recombinant systems programmed with appropriate antibody-encoding DNA. Alternatively, the antibodies may be constructed by biochemical reconstitution of purified heavy and light chains. The antibodies include hybrid antibodies (i.e., containing two sets of heavy chain/light chain combinations, each of which recognizes a different antigen), chimeric antibodies (i.e., in which either the heavy chains, light chains, or both, are fusion proteins), and univalent antibodies (i.e., comprised of a heavy chain/light chain complex bound to the constant region of a second heavy chain). Also included are Fab fragments, including Fab′ and F(ab).sub.2 fragments of antibodies. Methods for the production of all of the above types of antibodies and derivatives are well-known in the art and are discussed in more detail below. For example, techniques for producing and processing polyclonal antisera are disclosed in Mayer and Walker, 1987, Immunochemical Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology, (Academic Press, London). The general methodology for making monoclonal antibodies by hybridomas is well known Immortal antibody-producing cell lines can be created by cell fusion, and also by other techniques such as direct transformation of B lymphocytes with oncogenic DNA, or transfection with Epstein-Barr virus. See, e.g., Schreier et al., 1980, Hybridoma Techniques; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,341,761; 4,399,121; 4,427,783; 4,444,887; 4,466,917; 4,472,500; 4,491,632; and 4,493,890. Panels of monoclonal antibodies produced against peptides encoded by genes disclosed herein can be screened for various properties; i.e. for isotype, epitope affinity, etc.

The antibodies of this invention can be purified by standard methods, including but not limited to preparative disc-gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, HPLC, reversed-phase HPLC, gel filtration, ion exchange and partition chromatography, and countercurrent distribution. Purification methods for antibodies are disclosed, e.g., in The Art of Antibody Purification, 1989, Amicon Division, W. R. Grace & Co. General protein purification methods are described in Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, R. K. Scopes, Ed., 1987, Springer-Verlag, New York, N.Y.

Methods for determining the immunogenic capability of the disclosed sequences and the characteristics of the resulting sequence-specific antibodies and immune cells are well-known in the art. For example, antibodies elicited in response to a peptide comprising a particular polymorphic sequence can be tested for their ability to specifically recognize that polymorphic sequence, i.e., to bind differentially to a peptide or polypeptide comprising the polymorphic sequence and thus distinguish it from a similar peptide or polypeptide containing a different sequence at the same position.

Kits

As set forth herein, the invention provides diagnostic methods, e.g., for determining the identity of the allelic variants of polymorphic regions present in the gene loci of genes disclosed herein, wherein specific allelic variants of the polymorphic region are associated with cardiovascular diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the diagnostic kit can be used to determine whether a subject is at risk of developing a cardiovascular disease. This information could then be used, e.g., to optimize treatment of such individuals.

In preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a probe or primer which is capable of hybridizing to a gene and thereby identifying whether the gene contains an allelic variant of a polymorphic region which is associated with a risk for cardiovascular disease. The kit preferably further comprises instructions for use in diagnosing a subject as having, or having a predisposition, towards developing a cardiovascular disease. The probe or primers of the kit can be any of the probes or primers described in this file.

Preferred kits for amplifying a region of a gene comprising a polymorphic region of interest comprise one, two or more primers.

Antibody-Based Diagnostic Methods and Kits:

The invention also provides antibody-based methods for detecting polymorphic patterns in a biological sample. The methods comprise the steps of: (i) contacting a sample with one or more antibody preparations, wherein each of the antibody preparations is specific for a particular polymorphic form of the proteins encoded by genes disclosed herein, under conditions in which a stable antigen-antibody complex can form between the antibody and antigenic components in the sample; and (ii) detecting any antigen-antibody complex formed in step (i) using any suitable means known in the art, wherein the detection of a complex indicates the presence of the particular polymorphic form in the sample.

Typically, immunoassays use either a labelled antibody or a labelled antigenic component (e.g., that competes with the antigen in the sample for binding to the antibody). Suitable labels include without limitation enzyme-based, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, radioactive, or dye molecules. Assays that amplify the signals from the probe are also known, such as, for example, those that utilize biotin and avidin, and enzyme-labelled immunoassays, such as ELISA assays.

The present invention also provides kits suitable for antibody-based diagnostic applications. Diagnostic kits typically include one or more of the following components:

(i) Polymorphism-specific antibodies. The antibodies may be pre-labelled; alternatively, the antibody may be unlabelled and the ingredients for labelling may be included in the kit in separate containers, or a secondary, labelled antibody is provided; and

(ii) Reaction components: The kit may also contain other suitably packaged reagents and materials needed for the particular immunoassay protocol, including solid-phase matrices, if applicable, and standards.

The kits referred to above may include instructions for conducting the test. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the diagnostic kits are adaptable to high-throughput and/or automated operation.

Drug Targets and Screening Methods

According to the present invention, nucleotide sequences derived from genes disclosed herein and peptide sequences encoded by genes disclosed herein, particularly those that contain one or more polymorphic sequences, comprise useful targets to identify cardiovascular drugs, i.e., compounds that are effective in treating one or more clinical symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, especially when a protein is a multimeric protein that are build of two or more subunits, is a combination of different polymorphic subunits very useful.

Drug targets include without limitation (i) isolated nucleic acids derived from the genes disclosed herein, and (ii) isolated peptides and polypeptides encoded by genes disclosed herein, each of which comprises one or more polymorphic positions.

In Vitro Screening Methods:

In one series of embodiments, an isolated nucleic acid comprising one or more polymorphic positions is tested in vitro for its ability to bind test compounds in a sequence-specific manner. The methods comprise:

(i) providing a first nucleic acid containing a particular sequence at a polymorphic position and a second nucleic acid whose sequence is identical to that of the first nucleic acid except for a different sequence at the same polymorphic position;

(ii) contacting the nucleic acids with a multiplicity of test compounds under conditions appropriate for binding; and

(iii) identifying those compounds that bind selectively to either the first or second nucleic acid sequence.

Selective binding as used herein refers to any measurable difference in any parameter of binding, such as, e.g., binding affinity, binding capacity, etc.

In another series of embodiments, an isolated peptide or polypeptide comprising one or more polymorphic positions is tested in vitro for its ability to bind test compounds in a sequence-specific manner. The screening methods involve:

(i) providing a first peptide or polypeptide containing a particular sequence at a polymorphic position and a second peptide or polypeptide whose sequence is identical to the first peptide or polypeptide except for a different sequence at the same polymorphic position;

(ii) contacting the polypeptides with a multiplicity of test compounds under conditions appropriate for binding; and

(iii) identifying those compounds that bind selectively to one of the nucleic acid sequences.

In preferred embodiments, high-throughput screening protocols are used to survey a large number of test compounds for their ability to bind the genes or peptides disclosed above in a sequence-specific manner.

Test compounds are screened from large libraries of synthetic or natural compounds. Numerous means are currently used for random and directed synthesis of saccharide, peptide, and nucleic acid based compounds. Synthetic compound libraries are commercially available from Maybridge Chemical Co. (Trevillet, Cornwall, UK), Comgenex (Princeton, N.J.), Brandon Associates (Merrimack, N.H.), and Microsource (New Milford, Conn.). A rare chemical library is available from Aldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.). Alternatively, libraries of natural compounds in the form of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal extracts are available from e.g. Pan Laboratories (Bothell, Wash.) or MycoSearch (N.C.), or are readily producible. Additionally, natural and synthetically produced libraries and compounds are readily modified through conventional chemical, physical, and biochemical means.

In Vivo Screening Methods:

Intact cells or whole animals expressing polymorphic variants of genes disclosed herein can be used in screening methods to identify candidate cardiovascular drugs.

In one series of embodiments, a permanent cell line is established from an individual exhibiting a particular polymorphic pattern. Alternatively, cells (including without limitation mammalian, insect, yeast, or bacterial cells) are programmed to express a gene comprising one or more polymorphic sequences by introduction of appropriate DNA. Identification of candidate compounds can be achieved using any suitable assay, including without limitation (i) assays that measure selective binding of test compounds to particular polymorphic variants of proteins encoded by genes disclosed herein; (ii) assays that measure the ability of a test compound to modify (i.e., inhibit or enhance) a measurable activity or function of proteins encoded by genes disclosed herein; and (iii) assays that measure the ability of a compound to modify (i.e., inhibit or enhance) the transcriptional activity of sequences derived from the promoter (i.e., regulatory) regions of genes disclosed herein.

In another series of embodiments, transgenic animals are created in which (i) one or more human genes disclosed herein, having different sequences at particular polymorphic positions are stably inserted into the genome of the transgenic animal; and/or (ii) the endogenous genes disclosed herein are inactivated and replaced with human genes disclosed herein, having different sequences at particular polymorphic positions. See, e.g., Coffman, Semin. Nephrol. 17:404, 1997; Esther et al., Lab. Invest. 74:953, 1996; Murakami et al., Blood Press. Suppl. 2:36, 1996. Such animals can be treated with candidate compounds and monitored for one or more clinical markers of cardiovascular status.

The following are intended as non-limiting examples of the invention.

Material and Methods

Genotyping of patient DNA with the Pyrosequencing™ Method as described in the patent application WO 9813523:

First a PCR is set up to amplify the flanking regions around a SNP. Therefor 2 ng of genomic DNA (patient sample) are mixed with a primerset (20-40 pmol) producing a 75 to 320 bp PCR fragment with 0.3 to 1 U Qiagens Hot Star Taq Polymerase™ in a total volume of 20 μL. One primer is biotinylated depending on the direction of the sequencing primer. To force the biotinylated primer to be incorporated it is used 0.8 fold.

For primer design, programms like Oligo 6™ (Molecular Biology Insights) or Primer Select™ (DNAStar) are used. PCR setup is performed by a BioRobot 3000™ from Qiagen. PCR takes place in T1 or Tgradient Thermocyclers™ from Biometra.

The whole PCR reaction is transferred into a PSQ plate T™ (Pyrosequencing) and prepared using the Sample Prep Tool™ and SNP Reagent Kit™ from Pyrosequencing according to their instructions.

Preparation of Template for Pyrosequencing™:

Sample Preparation Using PSQ 96 Sample Prep Tool:

1. Mount the PSQ 96 Sample Prep Tool Cover onto the PSQ 96 Sample Prep Tool as follows: Place the cover on the desk retract the 4 attachment rods by separating the handle from the magnetic rod holder, fit the magnetic rods into the holes of the cover plate, push the handle downward until a click is heard. The PSQ 96 Sample Prep Tool is now ready for use.

2. To transfer beads from one plate to another, place the covered tool into the PSQ 96 Plate containing the samples and lower the magnetic rods by separating the handle from the magnetic rod holder. Move the tool up and down a few times then wait for 30-60 seconds. Transfer the beads into a new PSQ 96 plate containing the solution of choice.

3. Release the beads by lifting the magnetic rod holder, bringing it together with the handle. Move the tool up and down a few times to make sure that the beads are released.

All steps are performed at room temperature unless otherwise stated.

Immobilization of PCR Product:

Biotinylated PCR products are immobilized on streptavidin-coated Dynabeads™ M-280 Streptavidin. Parallel immobilization of several samples are performed in the PSQ 96 Plate.

1. Mix PCR product, 20 μl of a well optimized PCR, with 25 μl 2×BW-buffer II. Add 60-150 μg Dynabeads. It is also possible to add a mix of Dynabeads and 2×BW-buffer II to the PCR product yielding a final BW-buffer II concentration of approximately lx.

2. Incubate at 65° C. for 15 min agitation constantly to keep the beads dispersed. For optimal immobilization of fragments longer than 300 bp use 30 min incubation time.

Strand Separation:

4. For strand separation, use the PSQ 96 Sample Prep Tool to transfer the beads with the immobilized sample to a PSQ 96 Plate containing 50 μl 0.50 M NaOH per well. Release the beads.

5. After approximately 1 min, transfer the beads with the immobilized strand to a PSQ 96 Plate containing 99 μl 1× Annealing buffer per well and mix thoroughly.

6. Transfer the beads to a PSQ 96 Plate containing 45 μl of a mix of 1× Annealing buffer and 3-15 pmoles sequencing primer per well.

7. Heat at 80° C. for 2 minutes in the PSQ 96 Sample Prep Thermoplate and move to room temperature.

8. After reaching room temperature, continue with the sequencing reaction.

Sequencing Reaction:

1. Choose the method to be used (“SNP Method”) and enter relevant information in the PSQ 96 Instrument Control software.

2. Place the cartridge and PSQ 96 Plate in the PSQ 96 Instrument.

3. Start the run.

Genotyping with a Service Contractor:

Qiagen Genomics, formerly Rapigene, is a service contractor for genotyping SNPs in patient samples. Their method is based on a primer extension method where two complementary primers are designed for each genotype that are labeled with different tags. Depending on the genotype only one primer will be elongated together with a certain tag. This tag can be detected with mass spectrometry and is a measure for the respective genotype. The method is described in the following patent: “Detection and identification of nucleic acid molecules—using tags which may be detected by non-fluorescent spectrometry or potentiometry” (WO 9727325).

EXAMPLES

To exemplify the present invention and it's utility baySNP 9840 will be used in the following:

baySNP 9840 is a C to T polymorphism and presumably resides in the gene of the human beta 1 polypeptide of a Na+/K+ transporting ATPase (information taken from table 3). baySNP 9840 was genotyped in various patient cohorts using the primers from table 2. As a result the following number of patients carrying different genotypes were found (information combined from tables 3 and 5a): Genotype 11 Genotype 12 Genotype baySNP Cohort Total “CC” “CT” “TT” 9840 HELD_FEM_(—) 80 26 39 15 ADRCASE 9840 HELD_FEM_(—) 81 13 47 21 ADRCTRL

When comparing the number of female patients suffering from ADR (HELD_FEM_ADRCASE) with the control cohort (HELD_FEM_ADRCTRL) it appears that the number of ADR patients carrying the CC genotype is 2 times increased, whereas the number of ADR patients with CT or TT genotypes is diminished. This points to a higher incidence of ADRs among female individuals with the CC genotype. Applying statistical tests on those findings the following p-values were obtained (data taken from table 5b): GTYPE GTYPE GTYPE BAYSNP COMPARISON CPVAL XPVAL LRPVAL 9840 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.048 0.0468 0.0459

As at least one of the GTYPE p values is below 0.05 the association of genotype and ADR phenotype is regarded as statistically significant (in this example significant p values were obtained from all three statistical tests). I.e. the analysis of a patient's genotype can predict the occurence of ADR. In more detail one can calculate the relative risk to suffer from ADR when carrying a certain genotype (data taken from Table 6a): BAYSNP COMPARISON GTYPE1 GTYPE2 GTYPE3 RR1 RR2 RR3 9840 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT TT 1.51 0.83 0.8

In case of baySNP 9840 the risk to suffer from ADR is 1.51 times higher when carrying the CC genotype. This indicated that a CC polymorphism in baySNP 9840 is a indepent risk factor for ADR in females.

In addition statistical associations can be calculated on the basis on alleles. This calculation would identify risk alleles instead of risk genotypes.

In case of baySNP 9840 the following allele counts were obtained (data combined from tables 3 and 5a): Allele 1 Allele 2 baySNP Cohort Total “C” “T” 9840 HELD_FEM_ADRCASE 80 91 69 9840 HELD_FEM_ADRCTRL 81 73 89

When comparing the number of female patients suffering from ADR (HELD_FEM_ADRCASE) with the control cohort (HELD_FEM_ADRCTRL) it appears that the number of ADR patients carrying the C allele is increased, whereas the number of ADR patients carrying the T allele is diminished. This points to a higher incidence of ADRs among female individuals with the C allele. Applying statistical tests on those findings the following p-values were obtained (data taken from table 5b): ALLELE ALLELE ALLELE BAYSNP COMPARISON CPVAL XPVAL LRPVAL 9840 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.034 0.0351 0.0338

As at least one of the ALLELE p values is below 0.05 the association of allele and ADR phenotype is regarded as statistically significant (in this example significant p values were obtained from all three statistical tests). I.e. also the analysis of a patient's alleles from baySNP 9840 can predict the occurence of ADR In more detail one can calculate the relative risk to suffer from ADR when carrying a certain allele (data taken from table 6b): baySNP Allele 1 Allele 2 COMPARISON RR1 RR2 9840 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.27 0.79

In case of baySNP 9840 the risk to suffer from ADR is 1.27 times higher when carrying the C allele. This indicated that the C allele of baySNP9840 is a indepent risk factor for ADR in females.

Another example is baySNP 5287, which is taken to exemplify polymorphisms relevant for drug efficacy. baySNP 5287 was found significant when comparing female patients with a ‘high’ and ‘low’ response to statin administration (as defined in table 1b).

The relative risk ratios for the genotypes CC, CT and TT were as follows (data taken from table 6a): BAYSNP COMPARISON GTYPE1 GTYPE2 GTYPE3 RR1 RR2 RR3 5287 RES_FEM_EFF CC CT TT 0.74 1.3 1.38

In this case female patients carrying the CT or TT genotype have a 1.3 to 1.38 times higher risk to be ‘high’ responders regarding statin therapy. In other words those patients should receive lower doses of statins in order to avoid ADR. However due to their ‘high responder’ phenotype they will still benefit from the drug. In turn carriers of the CC genotype should receive higher drug doses in order to experience a benefical therapeutic effect.

As can be seen from the following tables some of the associations that are disclosed in the present invention are indicative for more man one phenotype. baySNP 5287 is for example linked to drug efficacy, but also to ADR (table 6). TABLE 1a Definition of “good” and “bad” serum lipid levels “Good” “Bad” LDL-Cholesterol [mg/dL] 125-150 170-200 Cholesterol [mg/dL] 190-240 265-315 HDL-Cholesterol [mg/dL]  60-105 30-55 Triglycerides [mg/dL]  45-115 170-450 Number of Patients 146 132

TABLE 1b Definition of drug response phenotypes Low Decrease of serum LDL of at least 10% and at most 50% responder upon administration of 0.8 mg Cerivastatin (female patients) High Decrease of serum LDL of at least 50% upon responder administration of 0.4 mg Cerivastatin (female patients) Tolerant No diagnosis of muscle cramps, muscle pain, muscle patient weakness, myalgia or myopathy AND serum CK levels below 70 mg/dl in women and below 80 mg/dl in men. ADR Diagnosis of muscle cramps, muscle pain, muscle patient weakness, myalgia or myopathy OR serum CK levels higher than 140 mg/dl in women and 160 mg/dl in men.

An informed consent was signed by the patients and control people. Blood was taken by a physician according to medical standard procedures.

Samples were collected anonymous and labeled with a patient number.

DNA was extracted using kits from Qiagen. TABLE 2a Oligonucleotide primers used for genotyping using mass spectrometry The baySNP number refers to an internal numbering of the PA SNPs. Primer sequences are listed for preamplification of the genomic fragments (primers EF and ER) and for subsequent allele specific PCR of the SNP. baySNP SNP Name Sequence 179 A33G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGTGGGCACCCCAGGGATC 179 A33G ER TGTCCTGCCCACCGTGAC 179 A33G AR gggacggtcggtagatTCCTGCATGACAGCAGAT 179 A33G GR gctggctcggtcaagaTCCTGCATGACAGCAGAC 542 A402G AR gggacggtcggtagatAGAAATTCCCTCCCAACT 542 A402G EF GACGAGCCTTCAGCACATGATTGAGCCAGTTGTTT 542 A402G ER GGGGTGTATTTTGAGAGTG 542 A402G GR gctggctcggtcaagaAGAAATTCCCTCCCAACC 1837 C413T CF gggacggtcggtagatCTCAGCTTCATGCAGGGC 1837 C413T EF CCCACTCAGCCCTGCTCTT 1837 C413T ER GACGATGCCTTCAGCACAGCATCCTTGGCGGTCTTG 1837 C413T TF gctggctcggtcaagaCTCAGCTTCATGCAGGGT 2000 C349T CR gggacggtcggtagatAGTATGGTAATTAGGAAG 2000 C349T EF GACGATGCCTAGCACACTGACACTGAGCCACAAC 2000 C349T ER AACTGATGAGCAAGAAGGA 2000 C349T TR gctggctcggtcaagaAGTATGGTAATTAGGAAA 2521 C189T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaGTGACCCTGTCTGTGTTG 2521 C189T EF TGGTGTGCCTCTGTAATC 2521 C189T CF gggacggtcggtagatCTCTACTTGTCTGGTGTC 2521 C189T TF gctggctcggtcaagaCTCTACTTGTCTGGTGTT 3214 C183G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaACAACTTCAGCCTCTGTTC 3214 C183G EF TTTCCGAGACAAACTTCA 3214 C183G CF gggacggtcggtagatTTCTGGAAAGGCTGTCAC 3214 C183G GF gctggctcggtcaagaTTCTGGAAAGGCTGTCAG 3361 C372T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaCAGAAAAACCTTAAAAACAC 3361 C372T EF GGCTCATAGTAGCAGTCATC 3361 C372T CF gggacggtcggtagatAAGGCTAAGAATTTCAAC 3361 C372T TF gctggctcggtcaagaAGGCTAAGAATTTCAAT 3462 C492T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaTGTGAGAAAGATGGGAAG 3462 C492T EF CATTAGACATGGAGAGAGGT 3462 C492T CF gggacggtcggtagatGGCCTCACCTGGTACTCC 3462 C492T TF gctggctcggtcaagaGGCCTCACCTGGTACTCT 3826 A558C EF gacgatgccttcagcacaAAATAAGGTCAGTCTTCCAG 3826 A558C ER TGCTGTCTTGTGTTACAGTT 3826 A558C AR gggacggtcggtagatGTCTCCCTTTCAAATTAT 3826 A558C CR gctggctcggtcaagaGTCTCCCTTTCAAATTAG 4668 A483C EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGCTTCCTGAGAGTCTTTTT 4668 A483C ER ACCCATAGTTCCATCCTT 4668 A483C AR gggacggtcggtagatTAGGACTACAGTATGGAT 4668 A483C CR gctggctcggtcaagaTAGGACTACAGTATGGAG 4827 A292G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaCATTTATTCTTTCAGCAAAC 4827 A292G ER CCATGTAACTCCCTTGAC 4827 A292G AR gggacggtcggtagatGTCTCCCCAACACAGAGT 4827 A292G GR gctggctcggtcaagaGTCTCCCCAACACAGAGC 4952 C995T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGCATTTTACTTTGCTGTAGTT 4952 C995T ER TTTTGTTTTCTCTCATCTTGT 4952 C995T CR gggacggtcggtagatCCCAAGATTTTGCAGGTG 4952 C995T TR gctggctcggtcaagaCCCAAGATTTTGCAGGTA 5002 C145T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGACTCCCAGGCCAATC 5002 C145T ER GCAAGAAGAACAAGGTGG 5002 C145T CR gggacggtcggtagatCTCTTGGCTGCCAGCCCG 5002 C145T TR gctggctcggtcaagaCTCTTGGCTGCCAGCCCA 5287 C874T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaGATGGTCTTGATGTTCTTTG 5287 C874T EF AGGAGTTGAGGTGAGTGG 5287 C874T CF gggacggtcggtagatGGCCTGCGGAGTGCTGAC 5287 C874T TF gctggctcggtcaagaGCCTGCGGAGTGCTGAT 5373 G75T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaAGAATAAAGGCAAAGAAAATACAC 5373 G75T EF ATCCAGGGCTCGATAAAC 5373 G75T GF gggacggtcggtagatAAAGTCAAAAACGGGATG 5373 G75T TF gctggctcggtcaagaAAAGTCAAAAACGGGATT 5375 C789T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaCACAAAATAGATAACCCACACA 5375 C789T EF CAAAGGACAAGGAGCAAG 5375 C789T CF gggacggtcggtagatGCAGCAAAAAGACTCTCC 5375 C789T TF gctggctcggtcaagaGCAGCAAAAAGACTCTCT 5386 C453T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaAGCCAAGCCATCAAGTGT 5386 C453T EF AGAGCCACCAAATATCCATC 5386 C453T CF gggacggtcggtagatTTTTAAACATATTCTCCC 5386 C453T TF gctggctcggtcaagaTTTTAAACATATTCTCCT 5518 C523G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaCTTTTCACTTTGTGGTAGA 5518 C523G ER CTGTTTTCTGCTTTACTTG 5518 C523G CR gggacggtcggtagatAGAACTCCTCCAAATAAG 5518 C523G GR gctggctcggtcaagaAGAACTCCTCCAAATAAC 6162 C340G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaAGTGTTGTTAGGAGCAAAG 6162 C340G ER CTTAGGAAACTGAGGTGG 6162 C340G CR gggacggtcggtagatCTGCAGCCTGGGCAACAG 6162 C340G GR gctggctcggtcaagaCTGCAGCCTGGGCAACAC 6734 A251C EF AAGGAATGTTGTAGAGGGA 6734 A251C ER AGAAAAAGAAAAGAAAAGGAG 6734 A251C AF gggacggtcggtagatCTTCCCAGTAGTAAATAA 6734 A251C CF gctggctcggtcaagaCTTCCCAGTAGTAAATAC 6743 C25G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaTGGAGGGACAACCAGGAGTG 6743 C25G EF ACCCTGCCCTCGCCCCT 6743 C25G CF gggacggtcggtagatTGCCCTCGCCCCTCCCTC 6743 C25G GF gctggctcggtcaagaTGCCCTCGCCCCTCCCTG 7409 A352G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaAAAAGTAAGCAGGTTGGAG 7409 A352G EF AAGCAGAATAGGGATGGT 7409 A352G AF gggacggtcggtagatGTGCTTGCTGGGATCATA 7409 A352G GF gctggctcggtcaagaGTGCTTGCTGGGATCATG 8709 C287G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaTTTTAGTAGAGACGGGGTT 8709 C287G EF AATATCCTGGTTGTGATAGTG 8709 C287G CF gggacggtcggtagatAGCTGCATACGAATCTAC 8709 C287G GF gctggctcggtcaagaAGCTGCATACGAATCTAG 9698 A251G EF GTGACCCCAAAAGAGAGA 9698 A251G ER CTAGCTTGTTACTGCCTCC 9698 A251G AF gggacggtcggtagatGGCACGACCCCGCCCCCA 9698 A251G GF gctggctcggtcaagaGGCACGACCCCGCCCCCG 9840 C308T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaGGGGAAGATAAGGAAATAAG 9840 C308T EF AAAAAGCAGGAAGACACA 9840 C308T CF gggacggtcggtagatATGAAAAACAGTACAGCC 9840 C308T TF gctggctcggtcaagaATGAAAAACAGTACAGCT 10541 C62G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaTTGCTGTGTGATGAGTGAA 10541 C62G ER AGTCTGGAAGGGGAGAGA 10541 C62G CR gggacggtcggtagatCAGCAGCAGCCCAGAAAG 10541 C62G GR gctggctcggtcaagaCAGCAGCAGCCCAGAAAC 10948 G140T EF AAGGACAGGGTCAGGAAAG 10948 G140T ER CAGAGGGAGGAAGGAGGT 10948 G140T GF gggacggtcggtagatATGGAGGAGGGTGTCTGG 10948 G140T TF gctggctcggtcaagaATGGAGGAGGGTGTCTGT 10970 A111T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaTTCTACTGCTCTCCTCCAC 10970 A111T EF CCTACCCCTGTTTGTTCT 10970 A111T AF gggacggtcggtagatTACACACACACATATACA 10970 A111T TF gctggctcggtcaagaTACACACACACATATACT 11210 C194T EF GAGGAGTGAGGGAAAGTAAG 11210 C194T ER AAATGGAGAGAGATGGGA 11210 C194T CF gggacggtcggtagatCCAGGAAATGACATGATC 11210 C194T TF gctggctcggtcaagaCCAGGAAATGACATGATT 11248 C225T EF TGAGTTGAACAGCACTTGG 11248 C225T ER AGGGTAAGGGAGGGAAAA 11248 C225T CR gggacggtcggtagatTGATTCTTTCGCTTGGCG 11248 C225T TR gctggctcggtcaagaTGATTCTTTCGCTTGGCA 11322 C978T ER gacgatgccttcagcacaATCCTCATGCTCCTACTATC 11322 C978T EF TGCCCTCTTATCTGTTTT 11322 C978T CF gggacggtcggtagatCTTACCATCAGCTTCTTC 11322 C978T TF gctggctcggtcaagaCTTACCATCAGCTTCTTT 11371 A183G EF CTTTGTGGGATAGTGGGT 11371 A183G ER CTCTGGGGGTCTTATTTG 11371 A183G AR gggacggtcggtagatTGTTTGAGGGATTTGCAT 11371 A183G GR gctggctcggtcaagaTGTTTGAGGGATTTGCAC 11450 A251T EF ACAGAAGAACAACAACAAAAC 11450 A251T ER TGCGTATGAGGTAAAGAGA 11450 A251T AR gggacggtcggtagatGGACCATAATCTTGAAGT 11450 A251T TR gctggctcggtcaagaGGACCATAATCTTGAAGA 11483 C711T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaCCTCCTTTTCCTCTCCTC 11483 C711T ER CACTATATCCCTCCCCTGT 11483 C711T CR gggacggtcggtagatTGGAGTTGTCCTTGCAGG 11483 C711T TR gctggctcggtcaagaTGGAGTTGTCCTTGCAGA 11528 A142G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaTAGGTTTTTAGCAAGCATC 11528 A142G EF CCACACTCACTGGTCTCT 11528 A142G AF gggacggtcggtagatGCCAGGGGACAATCACCA 11528 A142G GF gctggctcggtcaagaGCCAGGGGACAATCACCG 11540 A251C EF TGTTTTTGTTGTTGATGCT 11540 A251C ER TGTGATTCTATATTACTTACTTGTTTC 11540 A251C AR gggacggtcggtagatGTCTTTCCTACTTTTGTT 11540 A251C CR gctggctcggtcaagaGTCTTTCCTACTTTTGTG 11594 C251T EF CACCTTCCTGAACTCACTC 11594 C251T ER TGATGTCTGTGCTGTCCT 11594 C251T CR gggacggtcggtagatTCTGGTCCACTCAAGGAG 11594 C251T TR gctggctcggtcaagaTCTGGTCCACTCAAGGAA 11616 C251T EF GATGGATACGCAAAAAGTG 11616 C251T ER CAAACTGATGCCAGAAGAG 11616 C251T CF gggacggtcggtagatATACCTTTTCTTCTTTTC 11616 C251T TF gctggctcggtcaagaATACCTTTTCTTCTTTTT 11630 A389G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaATGTAGTGTGAGGGGTCT 11630 A389G EF AGGTGATTTCGATTTTCT 11630 A389G AF gggacggtcggtagatGGCCTGCTCAGGTCCCAA 11630 A389G GF gctggctcggtcaagaGGCCTGCTCAGGTCCCAG 11631 A1265G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaCCACTTGTCATCCATCTCTT 11631 A1265G EF CTGCCCATTTAGTGTAGGAT 11631 A1265G AF gggacggtcggtagatTGCCTCAGAAACTGAGCA 11631 A1265G GF gctggctcggtcaagaTGCCTCAGAAACTGAGCG 11650 A146G EF CTGTCTGTTTGGGTCTTC 11650 A146G ER CGTTGTTCTCTGTCCACT 11650 A146G AR gggacggtcggtagatGGCCAAATGTCTAAAAGT 11650 A146G GR gctggctcggtcaagaGGCCAAATGTCTAAAAGC 11727 A503G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaGCTGCTGGAACTGTTTTC 11727 A503G EF GGCTGGGATTATAGGTATGT 11727 A503G AF gggacggtcggtagatAGTATGCAGAGAAATTGA 11727 A503G GF gctggctcggtcaagaAGTATGCAGAGAAATTGG 11728 C471T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGGCTGGGATTATAGGTATGT 11728 C471T ER GCTGCTGGAACTGTTTTC 11728 C471T CR gggacggtcggtagatACTCACCAATATCTGCTG 11728 C471T TR gctggctcggtcaagaACTCACCAATATCTGCTA 11841 C235T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGGTTGGTCTCGATCTCTT 11841 C235T ER GTGGCCCTCATTTTATTT 11841 C235T CR gggacggtcggtagatAAACACACTACTGGGCTG 11841 C235T TR gctggctcggtcaagaAAACACACTACTGGGCTA 11938 C211T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaGTCCATCTCTAACATTCTCCT 11938 C211T ER ACCAGTCTTCCCTTCTTG 11938 C211T CR gggacggtcggtagatAAAGGCCCCCAGTGCAGG 11938 C211T TR gctggctcggtcaagaAAGGCCCCCAGTGCAGA 11951 A188G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaATGCTGCTCACTTTTACCT 11951 A188G ER CTTCCCCTATGCTCACTT 11951 A188G AR gggacggtcggtagatATCCAGTCAGCAAACAGT 11951 A188G GR gctggctcggtcaagaATCCAGTCAGCAAACAGC 12554 A555T EF gacgatgccttcagcacaCAGATGGGAGTAAAGGAG 12554 A555T ER CAGTAATTGTTGGAAGAAAG 12554 A555T AR gggacggtcggtagatATTACCGCTGTGTCAGCT 12554 A555T TR gctggctcggtcaagaATTACCGCTGTGTCAGCA 12891 A344G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaACCTATGGAAACACAGGAAG 12891 A344G EF CGAACCGTCAGAAAAGAG 12891 A344G AF gggacggtcggtagatCCACTAGGGCCGAGGCCA 12891 A344G GF gctggctcggtcaagaCCACTAGGGCCGAGGCCG 13191 A504G ER gacgatgccttcagcacaATTCTCCCATTTCTCCTGT 13191 A504G EF TGCCTCTTCTCCTCATTC 13191 A504G AF gggacggtcggtagatCCCTAATGTCTTCCTCTGA 13191 A504G GF gctggctcggtcaagaCCCTAATGTCTTCCTCTGG 13193 A332G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaCTGTGGAATGAGGAGAAGA 13193 A332G ER CAATGGAGGAAGGCTATG 13193 A332G AR gggacggtcggtagatTCCAAAAACTCATATAAT 13193 A332G GR gctggctcggtcaagaTCCAAAAACTCATATAAC 900056 A187G EF gacgatgccttcagcacaCACCTCATTTTCTCCTCTT 900056 A187G ER CCAGGGACATTAACTCTTT 900056 A187G AR gggacggtcggtagatTTTCTTGCATCTTTCGTT 900056 A187G GR gctggctcggtcaagaTTTCTTGCATCTTTCGTC

TABLE 2b Oligonucleotide primers used for genotyping using Pyrosequencing The baySNP number refers to an internal numbering of the PA SNPs. Primer se- quences are listed for preamplification of the genomic fragments and for sequencing of the SNP using the pyrosequencing method. baySNP Name Sequence 3043 Primer F CATTTCTGGTTCTTGTTGGTGAC 3043 Primer R Bio-ACGATTAAATGGTTGGGATGA 3043 Seq. GATTCCTGGACTGCGTCTG 3689 Primer F BIO-CTGACCCTGACCTTCATACTCAA 3689 Primer R AGAAGAAAGAAGCCTCTCTACAGTT 3689 Seq. AACAGATCAGGTTGGTG 4838 Seq. TGACTAAGATGTAATGGGGAAGA 4838 Primer F Bio-CAAAGATGACCTTATGGCTCTGA 4838 Primer R GTCTCGGAACATGACCTTTAGT 5850 Primer F BIO-TGGAATTAGACTCTTCTGGACTTTA 5850 Primer R TTGTAAGAAAATATTGCTTGCT 5850 Seq. TGATTGGCCTGTCTACT 6370 Primer Fw GCG AGT GGC TTA GGT CTA 6370 Primer Re Bio-AGG ATC CTC GCA CAT T 6370 Seq TGT ATT TTT GTA AAT AGT TTA 8672 Primer F Bio-AGTTGCTTAAGCTGTTCACTTC 8672 Primer R GGCAACCCTGGACAAATG 8672 Seq. TCTTCTTGATGTAGCAGTTT 8842 FW TTAGATTGGACGACTGATTAT 8842 REbio Bio-CGTGATTATTAAGGCATATAC 8842 SQ GATTATTGGACAGAATGG 9008 FW GCGCTCTCTGTTCTAGTAAC 9008 REbio Bio-GATCCTCAATCAACCGTGACT 9008 SQ GGTGACTGCCAGGGCAC 10223 Primer F Bio-CGGAGTCGGGGATGTCAG 10223 Primer R CAGGGGGTTGGGGATTTG 10223 Seq. GTTCAAGCAAAGCTCC 10224 Primer F Bio-CGGAGTCGGGGATGTCAG 10224 Primer R CAGGGGGTTGGGGATTTG 10224 Seq. CAGGAACCTCTCCAGC 10226 Primer F ACTCTGAGCCCTGGACTCGG 10226 Primer R AAGGGGTCTCACCGCTGAAG 10226 Seq. GCTTGCTCTTGTTCTGG 10628 Primer Fw AGC TCC CCC ATG AAC ACC 10628 Primer Re Bio-CCC AGG CCC TCA ATT CAG 10628 Seq TTT TGC TCA CTG CTT CCT 10747 Primer F CTAACCATCTTCCAAATGCTTAATC 10747 Primer R BIO-TCCTTGAGTCTGAGTTTCCC 10747 Seq. CACAAGAAACCCTGAAA 10748 Primer F BIO-TGGCTATGACTTAATCCAACACCT 10748 Primer R AGTTTGGTACATGTTGGCAGTTATC 10748 Seq. TATGGCCTCGGTCA 10811 Seq. TTCAGTTCCAGCTCTACCAT 10811 F AGATTTACTGAAGTGCGAGGTG 10811 RBio GATCAGAGGCTCACAAAGGTT 12121 Primer F AAGCACTCAAACACTACCATCTCA 12121 Primer R Bio-CCTCCCCCAGCGTCAAA 12121 Seq. CCAAGAGACTGGTTGAATA 12140 FW CCGCACCATCGATCTTC 12140 REbio Bio-ATGGCACCTGAGCTGTATC 12140 SQ ACCACACATACGCTCCA 12899 FW AAGTCATGACATGGCAAT 12899 REbio Bio-CGCTGGTGGGTGTC 12899 SQ AGCAGGATCTGGTGGCCC 13158 Primer Fw CCA GCC AGG ATG ACA CG 13158 Primer Re Bio-CCT CCC TGA GCT GTA GCA 13158 Seq CTT TAC TCT GCG TCC ACA 13340 FW AACCTGGGTACCCGCCTAC 13340 REbio Bio-AAAGACAACTGCCTCGGGAGC 13340 SQ CAGGACGGTGGTGCAGA 900080 Primer Fw CTC CTC CAC CGC ACT T 900080 Primer Re Bio-GGG AGA ACT TCG CTA CGC 900080 Seq TTC GGC AGC CGC TGC CTC 900081 Primer Fw CCC GGC ACA CTC ATT ACT 900081 Primer Re Bio-CTG AAG AAG TGC GGT GGA 900081 Seq GCT GTC AAT CAT CTG CAA 900083 Primer Fw TTG CGC CTG TTA G 900083 Primer Re Bio-GCA TGA GGC TGG ACG ACT 900083 Seq AAT CTG TGC CCT GAC ACT 900097 Primer F GCAAGGCCCAGGTCAAAAG 900097 Primer R Bio-GCCCCTGTTCACATCCTCCACC 900097 Seq. GGGACCTTAGTTGCCACCACAT 900102 Primer F TCGATCAAGGAGTAGCTTTACAAG 900102 Primer R BIO-GCAAGCCAAGTGTTCACAGTGAG 900102 Seq. AGGAGCCGCTGCCTT 900111 Primer F BIO-AAATCCCACTGGACAGAAAGTTGAC 900111 Primer R CAGGCTACTTCCACTGGTACTGAAA 900111 Seq. AGTATTTCACTTACTCTTTT 900115 Primer F Bio-GGTAAGTGCGTGCCTGGGAGATGC 900115 Primer R CGGGGTGGGGAGGACAGAGC 900115 Seq. GAGGACAGAGCAAAAGGAT 900118 Primer F GGGCTTCGTTGGCATAT 900118 Primer R CTGGATGTGGAGGGCTGACTA 900118 Seq. AGCTTTCCATGTTTTGA 900120 Primer F GGGATTGGTCAGTTGAAT 900120 Primer R TGCTTCAGGTTTGTGTATTGT 900120 Seq. GTCTGGAAAAAGGGC

TABLE 3 PA SNPs, SNP classes and putative PA genes The baySNP number refers to an internal numbering of the PA SNPs. Listed are the different polymorphisms found in our association study. Also from the association study we defined SNP classes; with ADR being adverse drug reaction related, with EFF being drug efficacy related and CVD being cardiovascular disease related. Also accession numbers and descriptions of those gene loci are given that are most homologous to the PA genes as listed in the sequences section (see below). Homologous genes and their accession numbers could be found by those skilled in the art in the Genbank database. null: not defined. BAYSNP SNP class GTYPE11 GTYPE12 GTYPE22 NCBI DESCRIPTION 179 ADR AG GG null L07033 Human hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA lyase mRNA, complete cds. 542 ADR AA AG GG M64052 Human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO1) mRNA, complete cds. 1837 ADR CC CT TT J00098 Human gene for apolipoprotein C-III 2000 ADR CC TT null P03915 NADH-UBIQUINONE OXIDOREDUCTASE CHAIN 5 (EC 1.6.5.3). 2521 ADR CC CT null D10523 Human mRNA for 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, complete cds. 3043 CVD AA AG GG ABCC2 ABCC2: ATP-binding cassette, sub-family C (CFTR/MRP), member 2 3214 EFF CC CG GG HSCAPA Homo sapiens mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase I mRNA, complete cds. 3361 EFF CC CT TT ABCB4 ABCB4: ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP), member 4 3462 EFF CC CT TT HSSSARO Human 52-kD SS-A/Ro autoantigen mRNA, complete cds. 3689 EFF CC CG GG M95724 H. sapiens centromere autoantigen C (CENPC) mRNA, complete cds. 3689 CVD CC CG GG M95724 H. sapiens centromere autoantigen C (CENPC) mRNA, complete cds. 3826 ADR AA AC CC BC000060 Homo sapiens, COX10 (yeast) homolog, cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein (heme A: farnesyltransferase) 4668 ADR AA AC CC HSKINAANP H. sapiens mRNA for kinase A anchor protein 4668 ADR AA AC CC HSKINAANP H. sapiens mRNA for kinase A anchor protein 4827 ADR AA AG GG L07033 Human hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA lyase mRNA, complete cds. 4838 CVD AA AG GG L08246 Human myeloid cell differentiation protein (MCL1) 4838 CVD AA AG GG L08246 Human myeloid cell differentiation protein (MCL1) 4952 ADR CC CT TT ABCB11 ABCB11: ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP), member 11 4952 ADR CC CT TT ABCB11 ABCB11: ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP), member 11 5002 ADR CC CT TT AJ000414 Homo sapiens mRNA for Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) 5287 EFF CC CT TT J02611 Human apolipoprotein D mRNA, complete cds. 5287 ADR CC CT TT J02611 Human apolipoprotein D mRNA, complete cds. 5287 ADR CC CT TT J02611 Human apolipoprotein D mRNA, complete cds. 5373 ADR GG GT TT HSSEQX Human microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) gene, complete cds. 5375 ADR CC CT TT HSSEQX Human microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) gene, complete cds. 5375 ADR CC CT TT HSSEQX Human microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) gene, complete cds. 5386 EFF CC CT TT L07956 Homo sapiens 1,4-alpha-glucan branching enzyme (HGBE) mRNA, complete cds. 5518 ADR CC CG GG AA609457 PYRUVATE DEHYDROGENASE KINASE 5850 EFF AA AG GG M95724 H. sapiens centromere autoantigen C (CENPC) mRNA, complete cds. 6162 ADR CC CG GG AF005896 Homo sapiens Na K-ATPase beta-3 subunit (atp1b3) gene, exon 7 and complete cds. 6162 ADR CC CG GG AF005896 Homo sapiens Na K-ATPase beta-3 subunit (atp1b3) gene, exon 7 and complete cds. 6370 CVD AA AG GG X52011 H. sapiens MYF6 gene encoding a muscle determination factor 6374 ADR CC CT TT X52022 H. sapiens RNA for type VI collagen alpha3 chain 6743 ADR CG GG null AL035634 SNX9 (Sorting Nexin 9) 7409 ADR AA AG GG AF129756 HLA-B associated transcript 3 (BAT3) 8672 CVD CC CT TT L10335 Homo sapiens neuroendocrine-specific protein C (NSP) mRNA, complete cds. 8709 ADR CC CG GG AC006022 Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (INMT) 8842 ADR AA AG null L40933 Homo sapiens phosphoglucomutase-related protein (PGMRP) gene, complete cds. 9008 CVD AA AG GG M23115 Homo sapiens calcium-ATPase (HK2) mRNA, complete cds. 9008 CVD AA AG GG M23115 Homo sapiens calcium-ATPase (HK2) mRNA, complete cds. 9698 ADR AA AG GG HS5211110 Mucle specific serine kinase (MSSK1) 9698 EFF AA AG GG HS5211110 Mucle specific serine kinase (MSSK1) 9698 CVD AA AG GG HS5211110 Mucle specific serine kinase (MSSK1) 9840 ADR CC CT TT BC000006 Homo sapiens, ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, beta 1 polypeptide 10223 CVD AA AG GG Z30643 H. sapiens mRNA for chloride channel (putative) 2139 bp 10224 CVD GG GT TT Z30643 H. sapiens mRNA for chloride channel (putative) 2139 bp 10226 CVD CC CT null Z30643 H. sapiens mRNA for chloride channel (putative) 2139 bp 10541 EFF CC CG GG AF066859 Homo sapiens muscle glycogen phosphorylase (PYGM) mRNA, complete cds. 10628 CVD CC CT TT AJ011713 Homo sapiens TNNT1 gene, exons 12-14 10747 ADR CC CT TT D11456 Human mRNA for Xanthine dehydrogenase, complete cds. 10747 CVD CC CT TT D11456 Human mRNA for Xanthine dehydrogenase, complete cds. 10748 CVD CC CT TT D11456 Human mRNA for Xanthine dehydrogenase, complete cds. 10811 EFF AA AG GG D86425 Homo sapiens mRNA for osteonidogen, complete cds. 10948 ADR GG GT TT M10065 Human apolipoprotein E (epsilon-4 allele) gene, complete cds. 10970 ADR AA AT TT HSRASFAB Human RASF-A PLA2 mRNA, complete cds. 11210 CVD CC CT TT AB014460 Homo sapiens TSC2, NTHL1/NTH1 and SLC9A3R2/E3KARP genes 11210 ADR CC CT TT AB014460 Homo sapiens TSC2, NTHL1/NTH1 and SLC9A3R2/E3KARP genes 11248 ADR CC CT TT X60435 H. sapiens gene PACAP for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 11322 ADR CC CT null D16611 Coproporphyrinogen oxidase 11371 ADR AA AG null Z82215 Nonmuscle type myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) 11450 EFF AA AT TT AF050163 Homo sapiens lipoprotein lipase precursor, gene, partial cds. 11483 ADR CC CT TT L19592 Homo sapiens interleukin 8 receptor alpha (IL8RA) gene, complete cds. 11528 ADR AA AG GG U95626 Homo sapiens ccr2b (ccr2), ccr2a (ccr2), ccr5 (ccr5) and ccr6 (ccr6) genes, complete cds, and lactoferrin (lactoferrin) gene, partial cds, complete sequence. 11528 ADR AA AG GG U95626 Homo sapiens ccr2b (ccr2), ccr2a (ccr2), ccr5 (ccr5) and ccr6 (ccr6) genes, complete cds, and lactoferrin (lactoferrin) gene, partial cds, complete sequence. 11540 CVD AA AC CC AB026257 Homo sapiens mRNA for organic anion transporter OATP-C, complete cds. 11540 CVD AA AC CC AB026257 Homo sapiens mRNA for organic anion transporter OATP-C, complete cds. 11594 CVD CC CT TT AF026069 Homo sapiens phosphomevalonate kinase (HUMPMKI) gene, partial cds. 11594 ADR CC CT TT AF026069 Homo sapiens phosphomevalonate kinase (HUMPMKI) gene, partial cds. 11616 ADR CC CT TT AF116690 Homo sapiens PRO2194 mRNA, complete cds. 11630 ADR AA AG GG AL022721 Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor, delta (PPARD) 11631 ADR AG GG null AL022721 Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor, delta (PPARD) 11631 ADR AG GG null AL022721 Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor, delta (PPARD) 11650 EFF AA AG GG AC004022 Homo sapiens BAG clone GS1-155M11 from 7q21-q22, complete sequence. 11650 CVD AA AG GG AC004022 Homo sapiens BAC clone GS1-155M11 from 7q21-q22, complete sequence. 11727 ADR AA AG GG AB043943 Homo sapiens GPVI gene for platelet glycoprotein VI, partial cds. 11727 ADR AA AG GG AB043943 Homo sapiens GPVI gene for platelet glycoprotein VI, partial cds. 11727 EFF AA AG GG AB043943 Homo sapiens GPVI gene for platelet glycoprotein VI, partial cds. 11728 EFF CC CT TT AB043943 Homo sapiens GPVI gene for platelet glycoprotein VI, partial cds. 11841 CVD CC CT TT AF002020 Homo sapiens Niemann-Pick C disease protein (NPC1) mRNA, complete cds. 11938 ADR CC CT TT AF058921 Homo sapiens cytosolic phospholipase A2-gamma mRNA, complete cds. 11951 ADR AA AG GG AF080222 Homo sapiens thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor gene, 5′-flanking region. 12121 CVD CC CT TT AJ276182 Homo sapiens partial ZNF202 gene for zinc finger protein homolog, exon 6 12140 CVD AA AG GG AL022322 Phospholipase A2, group VI (PLA2G6, cytosolic, calcium-independent) 12554 EFF AA AT TT HSVDAC1X Human voltage-dependent anion channel isoform 1 (VDAC) mRNA, complete cds. 12891 ADR AA AG GG M55654 Human TATA-binding protein mRNA, complete cds. 12891 ADR AA AG GG M55654 Human TATA-binding protein mRNA, complete cds. 12899 CVD CC CT null M60316 Human transforming growth factor-beta (tgf-beta) mRNA, complete cds. 12899 CVD CC CT null M60316 Human transforming growth factor-beta (tgf-beta) mRNA, complete cds. 13158 ADR AG GG null BC000060 Homo sapiens, COX10 (yeast) homolog, cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein (heme A: farnesyltransferase) 13158 ADR AG GG null BC000060 Homo sapiens, COX10 (yeast) homolog, cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein (heme A: farnesyltransferase) 13191 ADR AG GG null HSHMGCOAS H. sapiens mRNA for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 13193 ADR AA AG GG HSHMGCOAS H. sapiens mRNA for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 13340 EFF AA AC CC U46023 Human Xq28 mRNA, complete cds. 900056 CVD AA AG GG M28638 Human alpha-B-crystallin gene, 5′ end. 900080 ADR CC CG GG AL163248 Homo sapiens chromosome 21 segment HS21C048 900080 ADR CC CG GG AL163248 Homo sapiens chromosome 21 segment HS21C048 900081 ADR AA AG GG AL163248 Homo sapiens chromosome 21 segment HS21C048 900081 ADR AA AG GG AL163248 Homo sapiens chromosome 21 segment HS21C048 900083 ADR AA AG GG AF002223 myotubularin 900097 CVD CC CT TT AL136131 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 900097 CVD CC CT TT AL136131 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 900102 EFF GG GT TT AJ009937 nuclear hormone receptor PRR2 900111 EFF AA AG GG AJ009937 nuclear hormone receptor PRR2 900115 CVD AA AG GG U96781 ATP2A1: ATPase, Ca++ transporting, cardiac muscle, fast twitch 1 900118 CVD AG GG null AF002223 myotubularin 900120 CVD CC CT TT AF002223 myotubularin 900120 CVD CC CT TT AF002223 myotubularin

TABLE 4 Cohorts Given are names (as used in table 5) and formations of the various cohorts that were used for genotyping COHORT Definition HELD_ALL_GOOD/BAD Healthy elderly individuals of both genders with good or bad serum lipid profiles (as defined in table 1a) HELD_FEM_GOOD/BAD Healthy elderly individuals (female) with good or bad serum lipid profiles (as defined in table 1a) HELD_MAL_GOOD/BAD Healthy elderly individuals (male) with good or bad serum lipid profiles (as defined in table 1a) CVD_ALL_CASE/CTRL Individuals with diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and healthy controls (both genders) CVD_FEM_CASE/CTRL Individuals with diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and healthy controls (female) CVD_MAL_CASE/CTRL Individuals with diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and healthy controls (male) HELD_FEM_ADRCTRL Female individuals that tolerate adminstration of cerivastatin without exhibiting signs of ADR (as defined in table 1b) HELD_FEM_ADRCASE Female individuals that exhibited ADR (as defined in table 1b) upon administration of cerivastatin HELD_MAL_ADRCTRL Male individuals that tolerate adminstration of cerivastatin without exhibiting signs of ADR (as defined in table 1b) HELD_MAL_ADRCASE Male individuals that exhibited ADR (as defined in table 1b) upon administration of cerivastatin HELD_ALL_ADRCTRL Individuals of both genders that tolerate adminstration of cerivastatin without exhibiting signs of ADR (as defined in table 1b) HELD_ALL_ADRCASE Individuals of both genders that exhibited ADR (as defined in table 1b) upon administration of cerivastatin HELD_FEM_LORESP Female individuals with a minor response to cerivastatin administration (as defined in table 1b) HELD_FEM_HIRESP Female individuals with a high response to to cerivastatin administration (as defined in table 1b) Table 5a and 5b Cohort Sizes and P-Values of PA SNPs

The baySNP number refers to an internal numbering of the PA SNPs. Cpval denotes the classical Perarson chi-squared test, Xpval denotes the exact version of Pearson's chi-squared test, LRpval denotes the likelihood-ratio chi-squared test, Cpvalue, Xpvalue, and LRpvalue are calculated as described in (SAS/STAT User's Guide of the SAS OnlineDoc, Version 8), L. D. Fisher and G. van Belle, Biostatistics, Wiley Interscience 1993), and (A. Agresti, Statistical Science 7, 131 (1992)). The GTYPE and Allele p values were obtained through the respective chi square tests when comparing COHORTs A and B. For GTYPE p value the number of patients in cohort A carrying genotypes 11, 12 or 22 (FQ11 A, FQ 12 A, FQ 22 A; genotypes as defined in table 3) were compared with the respective patients in cohort B (FQ11 B, FQ 12 B, FQ 22 B; genotypes as defined in table 3) resulting in the respective chi square test with a 3×2 matrix. For Allele p balues we compared the allele count of alleles 1 and 2 (A1 and A2) in cohorts A and B, respectively (chi square test with a 2×2 matrix). SIZE A and B: Number of patients in cohorts A and B, respectively. See table 4 for definition of COHORTs A and B. TABLE 5a Cohort sizes and frequency of alleles and genotypes SIZE FQ2 FQ11 FQ12 FQ1 FQ2 FQ11 FQ12 FQ22 baySNP A1 A2 COHORT A A FQ1 A A A A FQ22 A COHORT B SIZE B B B B B B 179 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 70 6 134 6 64 0 HELD_MAL_(—) 69 15 123 15 54 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 542 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 159 53 265 0 53 106 HELD_ALL_(—) 154 37 271 2 33 119 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 1837 C T HELD_MAL_(—) 77 107 47 37 33 7 HELD_MAL_(—) 72 86 58 21 44 7 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 2000 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 79 154 4 77 2 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 82 152 12 76 6 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 2521 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 77 148 6 71 6 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 74 132 16 58 16 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 3043 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 20 14 26 3 8 9 HELD_MAL_(—) 37 12 62 3 6 28 BAD GOOD 3214 C G HELD_FEM_(—) 287 480 94 195 90 2 HELD_FEM_(—) 278 456 100 189 78 11 HIRESP LORESP 3361 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 267 36 498 1 34 232 HELD_FEM_(—) 251 53 449 3 47 201 HIRESP LORESP 3462 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 289 485 93 202 81 6 HELD_FEM_(—) 284 502 66 222 58 4 HIRESP LORESP 3689 C G HELD_FEM_(—) 6 9 3 3 3 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 14 10 18 1 8 5 HIRESP LORESP 3689 C G HELD_MAL_(—) 14 14 14 5 4 5 HELD_MAL_(—) 18 23 13 6 11 1 CASE CTRL 3826 A C HELD_MAL_(—) 49 5 93 0 5 44 HELD_MAL_(—) 55 20 90 3 14 38 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 4668 A C HELD_ALL_(—) 156 129 183 19 91 46 HELD_ALL_(—) 153 149 157 39 71 43 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 4668 A C HELD_FEM_(—) 82 69 95 9 51 22 HELD_FEM_(—) 81 77 85 20 37 24 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 4827 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 76 144 8 69 6 1 HELD_MAL_(—) 72 129 15 57 15 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 4838 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 14 20 8 7 6 1 HELD_MAL_(—) 17 16 18 4 8 5 CASE CTRL 4838 A G CVD_MAL_(—) 14 20 8 7 6 1 CVD_MAL_(—) 17 16 18 4 8 5 CASE CTRL 4952 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 155 154 156 45 64 46 HELD_ALL_(—) 152 130 174 24 82 46 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 4952 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 80 83 77 24 35 21 HELD_FEM_(—) 81 68 94 10 48 23 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5002 C T HELD_MAL_(—) 74 67 81 18 31 25 HELD_MAL_(—) 70 86 54 23 40 7 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5287 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 298 482 114 197 88 13 HELD_FEM_(—) 296 523 69 233 57 6 HIRESP LORESP 5287 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 151 252 50 110 32 9 HELD_ALL_(—) 148 257 39 110 37 1 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5287 C T HELD_MAL_(—) 71 114 28 48 18 5 HELD_MAL_(—) 70 124 16 54 16 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5373 G T HELD_FEM_(—) 82 126 38 51 24 7 HELD_FEM_(—) 82 111 53 35 41 6 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5375 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 80 121 39 49 23 8 HELD_FEM_(—) 80 105 55 32 41 7 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5375 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 156 234 78 91 52 13 HELD_ALL_(—) 151 206 96 68 70 13 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5386 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 270 303 237 89 125 56 HELD_FEM_(—) 263 257 269 57 143 63 HIRESP LORESP 5518 C G HELD_FEM_(—) 80 5 155 0 5 75 HELD_FEM_(—) 82 164 0 0 0 82 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 5850 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 12 7 17 1 5 6 HELD_FEM_(—) 18 20 16 5 10 3 HIRESP LORESP 6162 C G HELD_ALL_(—) 156 88 224 6 76 74 HELD_ALL_(—) 151 90 212 19 52 80 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 6162 C G HELD_MAL_(—) 74 40 108 3 34 37 HELD_MAL_(—) 71 43 99 11 21 39 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 6370 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 83 111 55 38 35 10 HELD_FEM_(—) 76 0 0 24 37 15 BAD GOOD 6374 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 153 114 192 20 74 59 HELD_ALL_(—) 150 87 213 12 63 75 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 6743 C G HELD_FEM_(—) 78 58 98 58 20 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 72 40 104 40 32 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 7409 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 83 135 31 54 27 2 HELD_FEM_(—) 83 151 15 68 15 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 8672 C T CVD_MAL_(—) 69 26 112 5 16 48 CVD_MAL_(—) 34 18 50 1 16 17 CASE CTRL 8709 C G HELD_MAL_(—) 74 137 11 63 11 0 HELD_MAL_(—) 66 112 20 48 16 2 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 8842 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 75 80 70 5 70 0 HELD_MAL_(—) 70 82 58 12 58 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 9008 A G CVD_FEM_(—) 16 3 3 1 6 9 CVD_FEM_(—) 19 1 37 0 1 18 CASE CTRL 9008 A G CVD_ALL_(—) 44 18 70 3 12 29 CVD_ALL_(—) 39 5 73 0 5 34 CASE CTRL 9698 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 74 8 140 4 0 70 HELD_MAL_(—) 72 30 114 14 2 56 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 9698 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 294 105 483 5 95 194 HELD_FEM_(—) 298 123 473 16 91 191 HIRESP LORESP 9698 A G CVD_ALL_(—) 102 46 158 17 12 73 CVD_ALL_(—) 74 19 125 6 9 59 CASE CTRL 9840 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 80 91 69 26 39 15 HELD_FEM_(—) 81 73 89 13 47 21 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 10223 A G CVD_FEM_(—) 35 57 13 22 13 0 CVD_FEM_(—) 39 68 10 31 6 2 CASE CTRL 10224 G T CVD_FEM_(—) 35 57 13 22 13 0 CVD_FEM_(—) 39 68 10 31 6 2 CASE CTRL 10226 C T CVD_MAL_(—) 64 70 58 6 58 0 CVD_MAL_(—) 30 30 30 0 30 0 CASE CTRL 10541 C G HELD_FEM_(—) 289 43 535 4 35 250 HELD_FEM_(—) 282 62 502 4 54 224 HIRESP LORESP 10628 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 45 75 15 32 11 2 HELD_ALL_(—) 40 56 24 23 10 7 CASE CTRL 10747 C T HELD_MAL_(—) 76 74 78 14 46 16 HELD_MAL_(—) 70 64 76 3 58 9 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 10747 C T CVD_ALL_(—) 62 54 70 15 24 23 CVD_ALL_(—) 74 51 97 6 39 29 CASE CTRL 10748 C T CVD_ALL_(—) 76 70 82 14 42 20 CVD_ALL_(—) 74 51 97 6 39 29 CASE CTRL 10811 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 12 23 1 11 1 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 17 26 8 10 6 1 HIRESP LORESP 10948 G T HELD_ALL_(—) 150 138 162 25 88 37 HELD_ALL_(—) 155 165 145 45 75 35 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 10970 A T HELD_FEM_(—) 82 145 19 63 19 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 83 140 26 62 16 5 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11210 C T HELD_MAL_(—) 14 23 5 9 5 0 HELD_MAL_(—) 19 37 1 18 1 0 CASE CTRL 11210 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 153 275 31 122 31 0 HELD_ALL_(—) 144 267 21 125 17 2 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11248 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 81 131 31 56 19 6 HELD_FEM_(—) 79 112 46 38 36 5 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11322 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 81 162 0 81 0 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 79 155 3 76 3 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11371 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 159 299 19 140 19 0 HELD_ALL_(—) 153 299 7 146 7 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11450 A T HELD_FEM_(—) 289 170 408 28 114 147 HELD_FEM_(—) 290 139 441 16 107 167 HIRESP LORESP 11483 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 154 24 284 0 24 130 HELD_ALL_(—) 149 17 281 2 13 134 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11528 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 157 92 222 8 76 73 HELD_ALL_(—) 153 108 198 20 68 65 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11528 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 81 44 118 5 34 42 HELD_FEM_(—) 82 63 101 13 37 32 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11540 A C HELD_ALL_(—) 45 6 84 0 6 39 HELD_ALL_(—) 40 2 78 1 0 39 CASE CTRL 11540 A C HELD_FEM_(—) 31 5 57 0 5 26 HELD_FEM_(—) 21 2 40 1 0 20 CASE CTRL 11594 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 45 10 80 0 10 35 HELD_ALL_(—) 41 3 79 0 3 38 CASE CTRL 11594 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 155 9 301 1 7 147 HELD_ALL_(—) 151 20 282 2 16 133 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11616 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 108 57 159 8 41 59 HELD_ALL_(—) 96 50 142 1 48 47 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11630 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 149 220 78 81 58 10 HELD_ALL_(—) 144 234 54 96 42 6 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11631 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 72 45 99 45 27 0 HELD_MAL_(—) 72 32 112 32 40 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11631 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 154 87 221 87 67 0 HELD_ALL_(—) 150 68 232 68 82 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11650 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 291 157 425 26 105 160 HELD_FEM_(—) 290 181 399 23 135 132 HIRESP LORESP 11650 A G CVD_FEM_(—) 36 20 52 3 14 19 CVD_FEM_(—) 40 35 45 6 23 11 CASE CTRL 11727 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 56 9 103 1 7 48 HELD_MAL_(—) 57 26 88 4 18 35 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11727 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 123 20 226 1 18 104 HELD_ALL_(—) 124 41 207 5 31 88 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11727 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 275 74 476 5 64 206 HELD_FEM_(—) 266 100 432 13 74 179 HIRESP LORESP 11728 C T HELD_FEM_(—) 288 78 498 5 68 215 HELD_FEM_(—) 280 103 457 13 77 190 HIRESP LORESP 11841 C T CVD_MAL_(—) 69 85 53 23 39 7 CVD_MAL_(—) 36 47 21 13 21 2 CASE CTRL 11938 C T HELD_ALL_(—) 159 114 204 17 80 62 HELD_ALL_(—) 156 121 191 31 59 66 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 11951 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 70 36 104 9 18 43 HELD_MAL_(—) 71 37 105 3 31 37 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 12121 C T CVD_ALL_(—) 98 192 4 95 2 1 CVD_ALL_(—) 65 121 9 59 3 3 CASE CTRL 12140 A G CVD_MAL_(—) 67 56 78 7 42 18 CVD_MAL_(—) 34 42 26 13 16 5 CASE CTRL 12554 A T HELD_FEM_(—) 287 458 116 176 106 5 HELD_FEM_(—) 283 482 84 203 76 4 HIRESP LORESP 12891 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 147 188 106 59 70 18 HELD_ALL_(—) 150 218 82 79 60 11 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 12891 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 70 89 51 28 33 9 HELD_MAL_(—) 70 105 35 39 27 4 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 12899 C T CVD_MAL_(—) 62 79 45 17 45 0 CVD_MAL_(—) 31 33 29 2 29 0 CASE CTRL 12899 C T CVD_ALL_(—) 95 118 72 23 72 0 CVD_ALL_(—) 71 78 64 7 64 0 CASE CTRL 13158 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 77 44 110 44 33 0 HELD_MAL_(—) 73 55 91 55 18 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 13158 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 160 98 222 98 62 0 HELD_ALL_(—) 156 112 200 112 44 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 13191 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 74 48 100 48 26 0 HELD_FEM_(—) 78 32 124 32 46 0 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 13193 A G HELD_MAL_(—) 76 29 123 4 21 51 HELD_MAL_(—) 72 26 118 0 26 46 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 13340 A C HELD_FEM_(—) 32 29 35 6 17 9 HELD_FEM_(—) 26 14 38 3 8 15 HIRESP LORESP 900056 A G CVD_MAL_(—) 69 54 84 13 28 28 CVD_MAL_(—) 36 21 47 3 19 14 CASE CTRL 900080 C G HELD_FEM_(—) 83 25 141 3 19 61 HELD_FEM_(—) 81 10 152 1 8 72 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 900080 C G HELD_ALL_(—) 160 46 274 6 34 120 HELD_ALL_(—) 152 27 277 2 23 127 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 900081 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 75 126 24 54 18 3 HELD_FEM_(—) 76 140 12 65 10 1 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 900081 A G HELD_ALL_(—) 142 239 45 103 33 6 HELD_ALL_(—) 142 256 28 117 22 3 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 900083 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 76 81 71 22 37 17 HELD_FEM_(—) 81 110 52 36 38 7 ADRCASE ADRCTRL 900097 C T CVD_MAL_(—) 68 89 47 29 31 8 CVD_MAL_(—) 34 33 35 12 9 13 CASE CTRL 900097 C T CVD_ALL_(—) 102 128 76 42 44 16 CVD_ALL_(—) 73 75 71 24 27 22 CASE CTRL 900102 G T HELD_FEM_(—) 289 200 378 28 144 117 HELD_FEM_(—) 284 235 333 47 141 96 HIRESP LORESP 900111 A G HELD_FEM_(—) 289 212 366 33 146 110 HELD_FEM_(—) 285 242 328 50 142 93 HIRESP LORESP 900115 A G CVD_MAL_(—) 52 64 40 16 32 4 CVD_MAL_(—) 28 41 15 16 9 3 CASE CTRL 900118 A G CVD_ALL_(—) 86 4 168 4 82 0 CVD_ALL_(—) 63 10 116 10 53 0 CASE CTRL 900120 C T CVD_ALL_(—) 93 9 177 3 3 87 CVD_ALL_(—) 66 15 117 4 7 55 CASE CTRL 900120 C T CVD_MAL_(—) 65 6 124 3 0 62 CVD_MAL_(—) 30 8 52 4 0 26 CASE CTRL

TABLE 5b p-values of PA SNPs. A SNP is considered as associated to cardiovascular disease, adverse statin response or to efficacy of statin treatment, respectively, when one of the p values is equal or below 0.05. GTYPE GTYPE GTYPE ALLELE ALLELE ALLELE BAYSNP COMPARISON CPVAL XPVAL LRPVAL CPVAL XPVAL LRPVAL 179 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0302 0.0349 0.028 0.0378 0.0427 0.0351 542 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0257 0.0152 0.0171 0.0971 0.1108 0.0962 1837 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0544 0.0558 0.0529 0.078 0.0897 0.0779 2000 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.1624 0.2773 0.1528 0.0482 0.0704 0.0432 2521 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.016 0.0206 0.0146 0.0208 0.026 0.0189 3043 HELD_MAL_LIP 0.0653 0.0685 0.068 0.0225 0.0342 0.025 3214 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0296 0.0281 0.0216 0.4733 0.4788 0.4733 3361 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.09 0.0897 0.0876 0.0285 0.0347 0.0282 3462 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0779 0.0736 0.0771 0.0286 0.0325 0.0282 3689 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0488 0.0584 0.0295 0.0226 0.0378 0.0206 3689 HELD_MAL_CC 0.0604 0.0809 0.0524 0.2644 0.3134 0.2644 3826 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.025 0.0155 0.013 0.0038 0.0048 0.0027 4668 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0089 0.0088 0.0083 0.0664 0.0752 0.0663 4668 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0391 0.0387 0.037 0.3218 0.373 0.3217 4827 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0524 0.033 0.0406 0.0978 0.1282 0.0959 4838 HELD_MAL_CC 0.1726 0.1825 0.1545 0.053 0.0718 0.0509 4838 CVD_MAL 0.1726 0.1825 0.1545 0.053 0.0718 0.0509 4952 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0137 0.0138 0.013 0.0858 0.0897 0.0857 4952 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0194 0.0184 0.0177 0.0751 0.0938 0.0749 5002 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0028 0.0027 0.002 0.006 0.0067 0.0059 5287 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0022 0.002 0.0021 0.0004 0.0004 0.0003 5287 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0345 0.0373 0.0213 0.2455 0.253 0.2449 5287 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0651 0.0694 0.0248 0.0551 0.0706 0.0537 5373 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0235 0.0216 0.0227 0.0643 0.0839 0.0639 5375 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0129 0.0146 0.0123 0.0496 0.0653 0.0491 5375 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0523 0.0512 0.0517 0.062 0.0731 0.0619 5386 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.014 0.0139 0.0136 0.0178 0.0197 0.0177 5518 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0215 0.0275 0.0072 0.0225 0.0284 0.0076 5850 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.1162 0.1509 0.1096 0.0441 0.0642 0.0419 6162 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0033 0.003 0.0028 0.663 0.722 0.663 6162 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0219 0.0217 0.0188 0.5399 0.6036 0.5399 6370 HELD_FEM_LIP 0.1411 0.1395 0.1393 0.0449 0.0501 0.0448 6374 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0923 0.0951 0.0911 0.0309 0.0315 0.0307 6743 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0156 0.0172 0.0153 0.0828 0.0863 0.0821 7409 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0297 0.0192 0.0196 0.011 0.0165 0.0103 8672 CVD_MAL 0.0432 0.043 0.0455 0.2089 0.2778 0.2145 8709 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.1048 0.0955 0.0714 0.0399 0.0553 0.0392 8842 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0501 0.0698 0.0476 0.3694 0.4081 0.3692 9008 CVD_FEM 0.0251 0.0173 0.017 0.0053 0.0091 0.0036 9008 CVD_ALL 0.0498 0.0338 0.027 0.0089 0.0122 0.0071 9698 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0106 0.0048 0.0061 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 9698 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0538 0.0557 0.0464 0.2251 0.2386 0.2249 9698 CVD_ALL 0.2256 0.2237 0.2119 0.0274 0.0357 0.025 9840 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.048 0.0468 0.0459 0.034 0.0351 0.0338 10223 CVD_FEM 0.0521 0.0379 0.0345 0.335 0.3702 0.3351 10224 CVD_FEM 0.0521 0.0379 0.0345 0.335 0.3702 0.3351 10226 CVD_MAL 0.083 0.1719 0.0284 0.5482 0.6384 0.5484 10541 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0673 0.0612 0.0663 0.0377 0.0406 0.0373 10628 HELD_ALL_CC 0.1341 0.1529 0.124 0.039 0.0454 0.0387 10747 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.006 0.0053 0.0044 0.6116 0.64 0.6115 10747 CVD_ALL 0.0285 0.0292 0.027 0.1252 0.1349 0.1253 10748 CVD_ALL 0.0847 0.083 0.0805 0.0407 0.0458 0.0404 10811 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.1443 0.1872 0.1038 0.0449 0.0665 0.0311 10948 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0346 0.034 0.0333 0.0744 0.0756 0.0742 10970 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0721 0.0804 0.0274 0.2805 0.3364 0.2796 11210 HELD_MAL_CC 0.025 0.0616 0.0225 0.0335 0.0756 0.0304 11210 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0536 0.038 0.0354 0.2211 0.2468 0.2195 11248 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0125 0.0119 0.0118 0.0368 0.0494 0.0364 11322 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0766 0.118 0.0383 0.078 0.1192 0.0389 11371 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0185 0.0233 0.0164 0.0212 0.0265 0.0188 11450 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0922 0.0949 0.0903 0.0362 0.0394 0.036 11483 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0724 0.0508 0.0481 0.3064 0.3348 0.3051 11528 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0498 0.0509 0.0457 0.1104 0.1221 0.1103 11528 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.081 0.0792 0.0758 0.0305 0.034 0.0302 11540 HELD_ALL_CC 0.0346 0.0274 0.0091 0.2004 0.2843 0.1888 11540 HELD_FEM_CC 0.0802 0.0629 0.0278 0.5095 0.6985 0.501 11594 HELD_ALL_CC 0.0539 0.0724 0.0479 0.0648 0.0846 0.0574 11594 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.1052 0.0878 0.1 0.0304 0.036 0.0286 11616 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0356 0.036 0.0247 0.9366 1 0.9366 11630 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0931 0.0919 0.0921 0.0315 0.0376 0.0311 11631 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0299 0.0446 0.0294 0.0835 0.1098 0.0829 11631 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0516 0.0662 0.0514 0.1145 0.1363 0.1141 11650 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0366 0.0361 0.0363 0.1123 0.1212 0.1122 11650 CVD_FEM 0.0771 0.0776 0.075 0.0407 0.0444 0.0398 11727 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0131 0.0092 0.0113 0.0021 0.0029 0.0018 11727 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0242 0.0214 0.0209 0.0045 0.0059 0.0042 11727 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0492 0.0501 0.0461 0.0168 0.0203 0.0166 11728 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0625 0.0637 0.0586 0.0255 0.0285 0.0254 11841 CVD_MAL 0.1562 0.1716 0.0531 0.2899 0.3545 0.2869 11938 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0253 0.0251 0.0244 0.4466 0.4593 0.4466 11951 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0319 0.0323 0.0291 0.9477 1 0.9477 12121 CVD_ALL 0.2165 0.2741 0.2215 0.0274 0.0404 0.029 12140 CVD_MAL 0.0037 0.0033 0.0047 0.0073 0.0078 0.0071 12554 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0309 0.0264 0.0306 0.0172 0.0194 0.017 12891 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0697 0.07 0.0687 0.0223 0.0273 0.0222 12891 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.1148 0.1175 0.1114 0.0382 0.0517 0.0378 12899 CVD_MAL 0.0181 0.027 0.0108 0.1685 0.204 0.17 12899 CVD_ALL 0.0174 0.024 0.0145 0.1884 0.215 0.1887 13158 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0187 0.0248 0.018 0.0939 0.1104 0.0937 13158 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.0472 0.0565 0.0467 0.1595 0.1767 0.1594 13191 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0033 0.0036 0.0031 0.0183 0.0195 0.0181 13193 HELD_MAL_ADR 0.0961 0.1075 0.0444 0.821 0.8816 0.821 13340 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0752 0.0789 0.0733 0.0414 0.0535 0.0399 900056 CVD_MAL 0.067 0.0635 0.0376 0.2473 0.2828 0.2442 900080 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0414 0.0342 0.0379 0.0091 0.0116 0.0081 900080 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.1275 0.1427 0.1211 0.0328 0.0346 0.0318 900081 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.1167 0.1327 0.1121 0.0297 0.0336 0.0284 900081 HELD_ALL_ADR 0.1293 0.1249 0.1271 0.0331 0.0443 0.0324 900083 HELD_FEM_ADR 0.0246 0.0237 0.0228 0.008 0.0108 0.0079 900097 CVD_MAL 0.0063 0.0059 0.0078 0.0202 0.0235 0.0207 900097 CVD_ALL 0.0719 0.0761 0.0741 0.0335 0.0372 0.0336 900102 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0322 0.0321 0.0313 0.0182 0.0207 0.0181 900111 HELD_FEM_EFF 0.0849 0.0847 0.0838 0.0453 0.0466 0.0452 900115 CVD_MAL 0.0403 0.0404 0.0385 0.138 0.1642 0.1339 900118 CVD_ALL 0.0204 0.0249 0.0205 0.0237 0.0284 0.0239 900120 CVD_ALL 0.1055 0.1066 0.1078 0.03 0.0333 0.0314 900120 CVD_MAL 0.1306 0.2018 0.1465 0.0325 0.0404 0.04

TABLE 6a Correlation of genotypes of PA SNPs to relative risk For diagnostic conclusions to be drawn from genotyping a particular patient we calculated the relative risk RR1, RR2, RR3 for the three possible genotypes of each SNP. Given the genotype frequencies as gtype1 gtype2 gtype3 case N11 N12 N13 control N21 N22 N23

${{RR}\quad 3} = {\frac{N\quad 13}{N\quad 23}/\frac{{N\quad 11} + {N\quad 12}}{{N\quad 21} + {N\quad 22}}}$ ${{RR}\quad 1} = {\frac{N\quad 11}{N\quad 21}/\frac{{N\quad 12} + {N\quad 13}}{{N\quad 22} + {N\quad 23}}}$ ${{RR}\quad 2} = {\frac{N\quad 12}{N\quad 22}/\frac{{N\quad 1\quad 1} + {N\quad 13}}{{N\quad 21} + {N\quad 23}}}$

Here, the case and control populations represent any case-control-group pair, or bad(case)-good(control)-group pair, respectively (due to their increased response to statins, ‘high responders’ are treated as a case cohort, whereas ‘low responders’ are treated as the respective control cohort). A value RR1>1, RR2>1, and RR3>1 indicates an increased risk for individuals carrying genotype 1, genotype 2, and genotype 3, respectively. For example, RR1=3 indicates a 3-fold risk of an individual carrying genotype 1 as compared to individuals carrying genotype 2 or 3 (a detailed description of relative risk calculation and statistics can be found in (Biostatistics, L. D. Fisher and G. van Belle, Wiley Interscience 1993)). The baySNP number refers to an internal numbering of the PA SNPs and can be found in the sequence listing. null: not defined. FQ2_(—) FQ3_(—) BAYSNP COMPARISON GTYPE1 GTYPE2 GTYPE3 RR1 RR2 RR3 FQ1_A FQ2_A FQ3_A FQ1_B B B 179 HELD_MAL_ADR AG GG null 0.53 1.9 null 6 64 0 15 54 0 542 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG GG 0 1.32 0.78 0 53 106 2 33 119 1837 HELD_MAL_ADR CC CT TT 1.45 0.7 0.96 37 33 7 21 44 7 2000 HELD_FEM_ADR CC TT null 2.01 0.5 null 77 2 0 76 6 0 2521 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT null 2.02 0.5 null 71 6 0 58 16 0 3043 HELD_MAL_LIP AA AG GG 1.5 2.05 0.44 3 8 9 3 6 28 3214 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CG GG 1 1.08 0.3 195 90 2 189 78 11 3361 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CT TT 0.48 0.79 1.3 1 34 232 3 47 201 3462 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CT TT 0.82 1.22 1.19 202 81 6 222 58 4 3689 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CG GG 4 0.82 0 3 3 0 1 8 5 3689 HELD_MAL_CC CC CG GG 1.06 0.45 2.41 5 4 5 6 11 1 3826 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AC CC 0 0.51 2.36 0 5 44 3 14 38 4668 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AC CC 0.6 1.27 1.03 19 91 46 39 71 43 4668 HELD_FEM_ADR AA AC CC 0.57 1.4 0.93 9 51 22 20 37 24 4827 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG GG 1.72 0.52 1.96 69 6 1 57 15 0 4838 HELD_MAL_CC AA AG GG 1.82 0.91 0.32 7 6 1 4 8 5 4838 CVD_MAL AA AG GG 1.82 0.91 0.32 7 6 1 4 8 5 4952 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 1.41 0.78 0.99 45 64 46 24 82 46 4952 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT TT 1.6 0.73 0.95 24 35 21 10 48 23 5002 HELD_MAL_ADR CC CT TT 0.81 0.74 1.79 18 31 25 23 40 7 5287 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CT TT 0.74 1.3 1.38 197 88 13 233 57 6 5287 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 0.96 0.9 1.83 110 32 9 110 37 1 5287 HELD_MAL_ADR CC CT TT 0.8 1.07 2.06 48 18 5 54 16 0 5373 HELD_FEM_ADR GG GT TT 1.49 0.63 1.08 51 24 7 35 41 6 5375 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT TT 1.54 0.61 1.07 49 23 8 32 41 7 5375 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 1.3 0.76 0.98 91 52 13 68 70 13 5386 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CT TT 1.3 0.85 0.91 89 125 56 57 143 63 5518 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CG GG null 2.09 0.48 0 5 75 0 0 82 5850 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AG GG 0.36 0.71 2.33 1 5 6 5 10 3 6162 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CG GG 0.45 1.33 0.9 6 76 74 19 52 80 6162 HELD_MAL_ADR CC CG GG 0.4 1.39 0.91 3 34 37 11 21 39 6370 HELD_FEM_LIP AA AG GG 1.32 0.88 0.73 38 35 10 24 37 15 6374 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 1.27 1.13 0.79 20 74 59 12 63 75 6743 HELD_FEM_ADR CG GG null 1.54 0.65 null 58 20 0 40 32 0 7409 HELD_FEM_ADR AA AG GG 0.67 1.42 2.02 54 27 2 68 15 0 8672 CVD_MAL CC CT TT 1.26 0.67 1.34 5 16 48 1 16 17 8709 HELD_MAL_ADR CC CG GG 1.5 0.73 0 63 11 0 48 16 2 8842 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG null 0.54 1.86 null 5 70 0 12 58 0 9008 CVD_FEM AA AG GG 2.27 2.4 0.38 1 6 9 0 1 18 9008 CVD_ALL AA AG GG 1.95 1.46 0.61 3 12 29 0 5 34 9698 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG GG 0.41 0 2.78 4 0 70 14 2 56 9698 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AG GG 0.47 1.04 1.04 5 95 194 16 91 191 9698 CVD_ALL AA AG GG 1.33 0.98 0.84 17 12 73 6 9 59 9840 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT TT 1.51 0.83 0.8 26 39 15 13 47 21 10223 CVD_FEM AA AG GG 0.67 1.71 0 22 13 0 31 6 2 10224 CVD_FEM GG GT TT 0.67 1.71 0 22 13 0 31 6 2 10226 CVD_MAL CC CT null 1.52 0.66 null 6 58 0 0 30 0 10541 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CG GG 0.99 0.75 1.31 4 35 250 4 54 224 10628 HELD_ALL_CC CC CT TT 1.34 0.99 0.39 32 11 2 23 10 7 10747 HELD_MAL_ADR CC CT TT 1.71 0.62 1.29 14 46 16 3 58 9 10747 CVD_ALL CC CT TT 1.75 0.73 0.95 15 24 23 6 39 29 10748 CVD_ALL CC CT TT 1.47 1.05 0.74 14 42 20 6 39 29 10811 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AG GG 4.19 0.29 0 11 1 0 10 6 1 10948 HELD_ALL_ADR GG GT TT 0.67 1.24 1.06 25 88 37 45 75 35 10970 HELD_FEM_ADR AA AT TT 1.06 1.12 0 63 19 0 62 16 5 11210 HELD_MAL_CC CC CT TT 0.4 2.5 null 9 5 0 18 1 0 11210 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 0.8 1.32 0 122 31 0 125 17 2 11248 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT TT 1.57 0.59 1.08 56 19 6 38 36 5 11322 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CT null null 0 null 81 0 0 76 3 0 11371 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG null 0.67 1.49 null 140 19 0 146 7 0 11450 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AT TT 1.3 1.06 0.87 28 114 147 16 107 167 11483 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 0 1.33 0.8 0 24 130 2 13 134 11528 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG GG 0.54 1.08 1.08 8 76 73 20 68 65 11528 HELD_FEM_ADR AA AG GG 0.53 0.94 1.3 5 34 42 13 37 32 11540 HELD_ALL_CC AA AC CC 0 2.03 0.58 0 6 39 1 0 39 11540 HELD_FEM_CC AA AC CC 0 1.81 0.68 0 5 26 1 0 20 11594 HELD_ALL_CC CC CT TT null 1.6 0.62 0 10 35 0 3 38 11594 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 0.66 0.58 1.71 1 7 147 2 16 133 11616 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 1.73 0.79 1.11 8 41 59 1 48 47 11630 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG GG 0.78 1.23 1.25 81 58 10 96 42 6 11631 HELD_MAL_ADR AG GG null 1.45 0.69 null 45 27 0 32 40 0 11631 HELD_ALL_ADR AG GG null 1.25 0.8 null 87 67 0 68 82 0 11650 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AG GG 1.07 0.8 1.21 26 105 160 23 135 132 11650 CVD_FEM AA AG GG 0.68 0.67 1.71 3 14 19 6 23 11 11727 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG GG 0.39 0.5 2.17 1 7 48 4 18 35 11727 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG GG 0.33 0.69 1.57 1 18 104 5 31 88 11727 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AG GG 0.54 0.89 1.21 5 64 206 13 74 179 11728 HELD_FEM_EFF CC CT TT 0.54 0.9 1.19 5 68 215 13 77 190 11841 CVD_MAL CC CT TT 0.96 0.98 1.2 23 39 7 13 21 2 11938 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CT TT 0.67 1.28 0.93 17 80 62 31 59 66 11951 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG GG 1.59 0.65 1.21 9 18 43 3 31 37 12121 CVD_ALL CC CT TT 1.85 0.66 0.41 95 2 1 59 3 3 12140 CVD_MAL AA AG GG 0.47 1.25 1.25 7 42 18 13 16 5 12554 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AT TT 0.8 1.25 1.11 176 106 5 203 76 4 12891 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG GG 0.77 1.17 1.29 59 70 18 79 60 11 12891 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG GG 0.73 1.19 1.44 28 33 9 39 27 4 12899 CVD_MAL CC CT null 1.47 0.68 null 17 45 0 2 29 0 12899 CVD_ALL CC CT null 1.45 0.69 null 23 72 0 7 64 0 13158 HELD_MAL_ADR AG GG null 0.69 1.46 null 44 33 0 55 18 0 13158 HELD_ALL_ADR AG GG null 0.8 1.25 null 98 62 0 112 44 0 13191 HELD_FEM_ADR AG GG null 1.66 0.6 null 48 26 0 32 46 0 13193 HELD_MAL_ADR AA AG GG 2 0.82 1.07 4 21 51 0 26 46 13340 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AC CC 1.26 1.5 0.55 6 17 9 3 8 15 900056 CVD_MAL AA AG GG 1.29 0.84 1.02 13 28 28 3 19 14 900080 HELD_FEM_ADR CC CG GG 1.5 1.51 0.65 3 19 61 1 8 72 900080 HELD_ALL_ADR CC CG GG 1.48 1.21 0.79 6 34 120 2 23 127 900081 HELD_FEM_ADR AA AG GG 0.69 1.39 1.53 54 18 3 65 10 1 900081 HELD_ALL_ADR AA AG GG 0.77 1.26 1.35 103 33 6 117 22 3 900083 HELD_FEM_ADR AA AG GG 0.7 1.04 1.6 22 37 17 36 38 7 900097 CVD_MAL CC CT TT 1.11 1.3 0.51 29 31 8 12 9 13 900097 CVD_ALL CC CT TT 1.16 1.11 0.67 42 44 16 24 27 22 900102 HELD_FEM_EFF GG GT TT 0.71 1 1.15 28 144 117 47 141 96 900111 HELD_FEM_EFF AA AG GG 0.76 1.01 1.12 33 146 110 50 142 93 900115 CVD_MAL AA AG GG 0.67 1.52 0.87 16 32 4 16 9 3 900118 CVD_ALL AG GG null 0.47 2.13 null 4 82 0 10 53 0 900120 CVD_ALL CC CT TT 0.72 0.5 1.74 3 3 87 4 7 55 900120 CVD_MAL CC CT TT 0.61 null 1.64 3 0 62 4 0 26

TABLE 6b Correlation of PA SNP alleles to relative risk For diagnostic conclusions to be drawn from genotyping a particular patient we calculated the relative risks RR1, and RR2 for the two possible alleles of each SNP. Given the allele frequencies as allele1 allele2 case N11 N12 control N21 N22 we calculate ${{RR}\quad 1} = {\frac{N\quad 11}{N\quad 21}/\frac{N\quad 12}{N\quad 22}}$ ${{RR}\quad 2} = {\frac{N\quad 12}{N\quad 22}/\frac{N\quad 11}{N\quad 21}}$

Here, the case and control populations represent any case-control-group pair, or bad(case)-good(control)-group pair, respectively (due to their increased response to statins, ‘high responders’ are treated as a case cohort, whereas ‘low responders’ are treated as the respective control cohort). A value RR1>1, and RR2>1 indicates an increased risk for individuals carrying allele 1, and allele 2, respectively. For example, RR1=3 indicates a 3-fold risk of an individual carrying allele 1 as compared to individuals not carrying allele 1 (a detailed description of relative risk calculation and statistics can be found in (Biostatistics, L. D. Fisher and G. van Belle, Wiley Interscience 1993)). The baySNP number refers to an internal numbering of the PA SNPs and can be found in the sequence listing. null: not defined. SIZE FREQ1 FREQ2 SIZE FREQ1 FREQ2 BAYSNP ALLELE1 ALLELE2 COMPARISON RR1 RR2 A A A B B B 179 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.55 1.82 70 6 134 69 15 123 542 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 1.19 0.84 159 53 265 154 37 271 1837 C T HELD_MAL_ADR 1.24 0.81 77 107 47 72 86 58 2000 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 2.01 0.5 79 154 4 82 152 12 2521 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.94 0.52 77 148 6 74 132 16 3043 A G HELD_MAL_LIP 1.82 0.55 20 14 26 37 12 62 3214 C G HELD_FEM_EFF 1.06 0.94 287 480 94 278 456 100 3361 C T HELD_FEM_EFF 0.77 1.3 267 36 498 251 53 449 3462 C T HELD_FEM_EFF 0.84 1.19 289 485 93 284 502 66 3689 C G HELD_FEM_EFF 3.32 0.3 6 9 3 14 10 18 3689 C G HELD_MAL_CC 0.73 1.37 14 14 14 18 23 13 3826 A C HELD_MAL_ADR 0.39 2.54 49 5 93 55 20 90 4668 A C HELD_ALL_ADR 0.86 1.16 156 129 183 153 149 157 4668 A C HELD_FEM_ADR 0.9 1.12 82 69 95 81 77 85 4827 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 1.52 0.66 76 144 8 72 129 15 4838 A G HELD_MAL_CC 1.81 0.55 14 20 8 17 16 18 4838 A G CVD_MAL 1.81 0.55 14 20 8 17 16 18 4952 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 1.15 0.87 155 154 156 152 130 174 4952 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.22 0.82 80 83 77 81 68 94 5002 C T HELD_MAL_ADR 0.73 1.37 74 67 81 70 86 54 5287 C T HELD_FEM_EFF 0.77 1.3 298 482 114 296 523 69 5287 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 0.88 1.13 151 252 50 148 257 39 5287 C T HELD_MAL_ADR 0.75 1.33 71 114 28 70 124 16 5373 G T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.27 0.79 82 126 38 82 111 53 5375 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.29 0.77 80 121 39 80 105 55 5375 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 1.19 0.84 156 234 78 151 206 96 5386 C T HELD_FEM_EFF 1.16 0.87 270 303 237 263 257 269 5518 C G HELD_FEM_ADR 0.03 33.8 80 5 155 82 164 0 5850 A G HELD_FEM_EFF 0.5 1.99 12 7 17 18 20 16 6162 C G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.96 1.04 156 88 224 151 90 212 6162 C G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.92 1.08 74 40 108 71 43 99 6370 A G HELD_FEM_LIP 1 1 83 111 55 76 0 0 6374 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 1.2 0.84 153 114 192 150 87 213 6743 C G HELD_FEM_ADR 1.22 0.82 78 58 98 72 40 104 7409 A G HELD_FEM_ADR 0.7 1.43 83 135 31 83 151 15 8672 C T CVD_MAL 0.85 1.17 69 26 112 34 18 50 8709 C G HELD_MAL_ADR 1.55 0.64 74 137 11 66 112 20 8842 A G HELD_MAL ADR 0.9 1.11 75 80 70 70 82 58 9008 A G CVD_FEM 10 0.1 16 3 3 19 1 37 9008 A G CVD_ALL 1.6 0.63 44 18 70 39 5 73 9698 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.38 2.62 74 8 140 72 30 114 9698 A G HELD_FEM_EFF 0.91 1.1 294 105 483 298 123 473 9698 A G CVD_ALL 1.27 0.79 102 46 158 74 19 125 9840 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.27 0.79 80 91 69 81 73 89 10223 A G CVD_FEM 0.81 1.24 35 57 13 39 68 10 10224 G T CVD_FEM 0.81 1.24 35 57 13 39 68 10 10226 C T CVD_MAL 1.06 0.94 64 70 58 30 30 30 10541 C G HELD_FEM_EFF 0.79 1.26 289 43 535 282 62 502 10628 C T HELD_ALL_CC 1.49 0.67 45 75 15 40 56 24 10747 C T HELD_MAL_ADR 1.06 0.94 76 74 78 70 64 76 10747 C T CVD_ALL 1.23 0.82 62 54 70 74 51 97 10748 C T CVD_ALL 1.26 0.79 76 70 82 74 51 97 10811 A G HELD_FEM_EFF 4.22 0.24 12 23 1 17 26 8 10948 G T HELD_ALL_ADR 0.86 1.16 150 138 162 155 165 145 10970 A T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.2 0.83 82 145 19 83 140 26 11210 C T HELD_MAL_CC 0.46 2.17 14 23 5 19 37 1 11210 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 0.85 1.17 153 275 31 144 267 21 11248 C T HELD_FEM_ADR 1.34 0.75 81 131 31 79 112 46 11322 C T HELD_FEM_ADR null 0 81 162 0 79 155 3 11371 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.68 1.46 159 299 19 153 299 7 11450 A T HELD_FEM_EFF 1.14 0.87 289 170 408 290 139 441 11483 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 1.16 0.86 154 24 284 149 17 281 11528 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.87 1.15 157 92 222 153 108 198 11528 A G HELD_FEM_ADR 0.76 1.31 81 44 118 82 63 101 11540 A C HELD_ALL_CC 1.45 0.69 45 6 84 40 2 78 11540 A C HELD_FEM_CC 1.22 0.82 31 5 57 21 2 40 11594 C T HELD_ALL_CC 1.53 0.65 45 10 80 41 3 79 11594 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 0.6 1.66 155 9 301 151 20 282 11616 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 1.01 0.99 108 57 159 96 50 142 11630 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.82 1.22 149 220 78 144 234 54 11631 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 1.25 0.8 72 45 99 72 32 112 11631 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 1.15 0.87 154 87 221 150 68 232 11650 A G HELD_FEM_EFF 0.9 1.11 291 157 425 290 181 399 11650 A G CVD_FEM 0.68 1.47 36 20 52 40 35 45 11727 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.48 2.1 56 9 103 57 26 88 11727 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.63 1.59 123 20 226 124 41 207 11727 A G HELD_FEM_EFF 0.81 1.23 275 74 476 266 100 432 11728 C T HELD_FEM_EFF 0.83 1.21 288 78 498 280 103 457 11841 C T CVD_MAL 0.9 1.11 69 85 53 36 47 21 11938 C T HELD_ALL_ADR 0.94 1.06 159 114 204 156 121 191 11951 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.99 1.01 70 36 104 71 37 105 12121 C T CVD_ALL 1.99 0.5 98 192 4 65 121 9 12140 A G CVD_MAL 0.76 1.31 67 56 78 34 42 26 12554 A T HELD_FEM_EFF 0.84 1.19 287 458 116 283 482 84 12891 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.82 1.22 147 188 106 150 218 82 12891 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.77 1.29 70 89 51 70 105 35 12899 C T CVD_MAL 1.16 0.86 62 79 45 31 33 29 12899 C T CVD_ALL 1.14 0.88 95 118 72 71 78 64 13158 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 0.81 1.23 77 44 110 73 55 91 13158 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.89 1.13 160 98 222 156 112 200 13191 A G HELD_FEM_ADR 1.34 0.74 74 48 100 78 32 124 13193 A G HELD_MAL_ADR 1.03 0.97 76 29 123 72 26 118 13340 A C HELD_FEM_EFF 1.41 0.71 32 29 35 26 14 38 900056 A G CVD_MAL 1.12 0.89 69 54 84 36 21 47 900080 C G HELD_FEM_ADR 1.48 0.67 83 25 141 81 10 152 900080 C G HELD_ALL_ADR 1.27 0.79 160 46 274 152 27 277 900081 A G HELD_FEM_ADR 0.71 1.41 75 126 24 76 140 12 900081 A G HELD_ALL_ADR 0.78 1.28 142 239 45 142 256 28 900083 A G HELD_FEM_ADR 0.73 1.36 76 81 71 81 110 52 900097 C T CVD_MAL 1.27 0.79 68 89 47 34 33 35 900097 C T CVD_ALL 1.22 0.82 102 128 76 73 75 71 900102 G T HELD_FEM_EFF 0.86 1.16 289 200 378 284 235 333 900111 A G HELD_FEM_EFF 0.89 1.13 289 212 366 285 242 328 900115 A G CVD_MAL 0.84 1.19 52 64 40 28 41 15 900118 A G CVD_ALL 0.48 2.07 86 4 168 63 10 116 900120 C T CVD_ALL 0.62 1.61 93 9 177 66 15 117 900120 C T CVD_MAL 0.61 1.64 65 6 124 30 8 52 

1. An isolated polynucleotide encoded by a phenotype associated (PA) gene; the polynucleotide is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 with allelic variation as indicated in the sequences section contained in a functional surrounding like full length cDNA for PA gene polypeptide and with or without the PA gene promoter sequence.
 2. An expression vector containing one or more of the polynucleotides of claim
 1. 3. A host cell containing the expression vector of claim
 2. 4. A substantially purified PA gene polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of claim
 1. 5. A method for producing a PA gene polypeptide, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) culturing the host cell of claim 3 under conditions suitable for the expression of the PA gene polypeptide; and b) recovering the PA gene polypeptide from the host cell culture.
 6. A method for the detection of a polynucleotide of claim 1 or a PA gene polypeptide of claim 4 comprising the steps of: contacting a biological sample with a reagent which specifically interacts with the polynucleotide or the PA gene polypeptide.
 7. A method of screening for agents which regulate the activity of a PA gene comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a PA gene polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide of claim 1; and detecting PA gene activity of the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which increases the PA gene polypeptide activity is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing the activity of the PA gene polypeptide and wherein a test compound which decreases the PA activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of the PA gene is polypeptide.
 8. A reagent that modulates the activity of a PA polypeptide or a polynucleotide wherein said reagent is identified by the method of the claim
 7. 9. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the expression vector of claim 2 or the reagent of claim 8 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. Use of the reagent according to claim 8 for the preparation of a medicament.
 11. A method for determining whether a human subject has, or is at risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, comprising determining the identity of nucleotide variations as indicated in the sequences section of SEQ ID 1-80 of the PA gene locus of the subject and where the SNP class of the SNP is “CVD” as can be seen from table 3; whereas a “risk” genotype has a risk ratio of greater than 1 as can be seen from table
 6. 12. A method for determining a patient's individual response to statin therapy, including drug efficacy and adverse drug reactions, comprising determining the identity of nucleotide variations as indicated in the sequences section of SEQ ID 1-80 of the PA gene locus of the subject and where the SNP class of the SNP is “ADR”, “EFF” or both as can be seen from table 3; whereas the probability for such response can be seen from table
 6. 13. Use of the method according to claim 12 for the preparation of a medicament tailored to suit a patient's individual response to statin therapy.
 14. A kit for assessing cardiovascular status or statin response, said kit comprising a) sequence determination primers and b) sequence determination reagents, wherein said primers are selected from the group comprising primers that hybridize to polymorphic positions in human PA genes according to claim 1; and primers that hybridize immediately adjacent to polymorphic positions in human PA genes according to claim
 1. 15. A kit as defined in claims 12 detecting a combination of two or more, up to all, polymorphic sites selected from the groups of sequences as defined in claim
 1. 16. A kit for assessing cardiovascular status or statin response, said kit comprising one or more antibodies specific for a polymorphic position defined in claim 1 within the human PA gene polypeptides and combinations of any of the foregoing. 